Ukraine: Clashes ongoing in multiple areas of Ukraine March 9 as humanitarian ceasefires are partially observed /update 30

Event

Ukraine has once again attempted to establish humanitarian corridors to allow for the evacuation of cities affected by conflict March 9. The humanitarian corridors are set to remain open until 21:00; however, they are subject to suspension if clashes in the area intensify. A so-called "green corridor" is open for a second straight day between Sumy and Poltava. Humanitarian corridors were also planned from Enerhodar and Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, from Volnovakha to Pokrovsk, and from Izyum to Lozova. The evacuation from Izyum has been delayed due to shelling along the humanitarian corridor. Evacuation efforts have also been interrupted in Mariupol, where the ceasefire has only been partially observed. Several towns and settlements west of Kyiv, including Vorzel, Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpen, and Hostomel, are also attempting to carry out evacuations amid occasional shelling, presumably from Russian forces.

Heavy clashes and Russian bombardments have continued in multiple parts of the country. The most intense fighting has taken place in areas to the west and northwest of Kyiv, including Irpen and Dymer. Fierce clashes have also taken place east of Kyiv, near Brovary, on March 9. Kyiv has come under increasingly heavy bombardment, with repeated missile and artillery attacks striking the city overnight. Heavy fighting has continued on the outskirts of Chernihiv city as well as elsewhere in the Chernihiv Oblast, particularly near Hlukiv. In the Donetsk region, clashes and artillery shelling have taken place primarily at Severodonetsk in recent days, with at least 10 people reported dead March 9.

Elsewhere in the country, Russian bombardments and offensive actions have continued. Shelling in the Zhytomyr Oblast killed five people March 9, while areas both in Kharkiv city and within the wider Kharkiv Oblast continue to come under heavy bombardment; at least two additional fatalities were confirmed March 9. Shelling and aerial bombardments have also targeted areas in the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts.

Russian troops have encircled or partially encircled the cities of Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Mariupol, and Sumy. Kherson, Melitopol, and Berdyansk are under Russian occupation.

According to figures released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 474 civilians have been killed and 861 wounded since Russia's offensive against Ukraine began Feb. 24.

Martial Law, Curfews, Disruptions
Martial law and a nationwide general military mobilization are in effect. Males ages 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country. Curfews are in effect 22:00-06:00 in multiple regions, including Cherkasy, Lviv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr. Curfew hours are 18:00-06:00 in Chernihiv and Kharkiv, 19:00-06:00 in Odesa and Mykolaiv, 20:00-06:00 in Dnipro and Kherson, 20:00-07:00 in Kyiv, and 22:00-07:00 in Ivano-Frankivsk. Depending on the ground situation, authorities may extend or amend curfew hours on short notice. Civilians must stay indoors during curfew hours; exemptions are in place for persons seeking urgent medical care and workers in critical infrastructure. Public transport is unavailable during curfew hours.

Reports indicate a shortage of basic supplies, including groceries and pharmaceutical products, in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Polohy, and Mariupol; similar situations are likely in other cities facing Russian ground offensives. Other conflict-impacted cities will likely continue to see queues at ATMs, supermarkets, and petrol stations, as well as significant traffic congestion on major westward roads.

Ukrainian authorities have closed the country's borders with Belarus, Russia, and the Transnistria region of Moldova to foreign nationals; only Ukrainian citizens can enter from these areas. Reports also indicate significant road travel disruptions at Ukraine's western borders as thousands of civilians flee the conflict, though congestion has reportedly eased. Ukraine's borders with Hungary, Moldova, Poland, and Slovakia remain open; these states have increased security at their respective borders with Ukraine to aid in the reception of refugees. Significant delays at border crossings into neighboring states will likely persist and may worsen depending on conflict developments elsewhere in the country.

Critical Infrastructure
Metro services in Kyiv are intermittent; trains do not operate during curfew hours and will likely cease during air raids as many stations function as bomb shelters. Rail and road routes to the south and west of Kyiv remain largely operational, though the railway connection between Kyiv and Irpin was destroyed March 5. Civilian aviation remains suspended in Ukraine, and the nation's seaports are closed. Russia has temporarily stopped commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov.

Slovakia has resumed international rail services with Ukraine. Ukrainian Railways (UZ) is currently operating evacuation trains from multiple regions including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa regions. UZ continues to operate intermittent services throughout much of the country, though reports indicate severe delays and congestion. Rail services are subject to disruptions with little warning. Reports indicate large crowds at several operational stations, particularly in Lviv, from where evacuation services to international destinations are coordinated.

Intermittent telecommunications and internet disruptions continue across much of the country. Power, water, gas, and other utilities or amenities have been disrupted throughout Sumy Oblast, as well as in Okhtyrka, Mariupol, and Kharkiv. Similar utility disruptions are highly likely in other urban centers facing artillery and rocket bombardment.

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) only allows the withdrawal of up to UAH 30,000 (USD 1,000) in cash from foreign currency accounts. It has limited the permitted cash withdrawal from domestic currency accounts to UAH 100,000 (USD 3,340) per day. The bank has also suspended cross-border currency payments and the replenishment of electronic wallets.

Context

Russian forces continue in their apparent attempt to encircle Kyiv, with fierce clashes taking place on the city's eastern and western outskirts while additional Russian forces reportedly move into the area from the north and northeast.

Russian advances in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions have effectively cut Ukraine off from the Sea of Azov. Further advances to the west of Kherson toward Mykolaiv and Odesa threaten to cut Ukraine off from supplies via the Black Sea. Despite failing to capture Mykolaiv thus far, Russian troops are attempting to advance westward along the Black Sea coast. Additional advances in these regions will likely aid Russian forces in a potential future assault on the southwestern city of Odesa.

Despite recent bilateral negotiations, Russia and Ukraine's positions are almost certain to remain irreconcilable. Ukraine demands a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces, while Russia demands Ukraine surrender, disarm, and declare itself to be a neutral country remaining outside NATO and the EU. Nonetheless, Russia and Ukraine did agree during talks March 7 to establish humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians and deliver essential goods to areas impacted by the heaviest fighting. Further talks are planned March 10, though significant progress is not anticipated.

Advice

Avoid travel to Ukraine until the situation stabilizes; consider exiting the country if safe to do so. Where fighting or airstrikes are occurring, shelter in place until the situation becomes clear. If officials report incoming fire, stay away from windows and exterior walls. Strictly heed the instructions of local security personnel, particularly when ordered to air-raid shelters. Stockpile food, fuel, and water when possible and safe to do so. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Confirm that a thorough communication plan exists to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in Ukraine. Reconfirm the status of public transport services, road routes, and borders before departure.

Resources

Ukrainian Railways - UZ (Facebook) (Ukrainian)
State Border Guard Service (Facebook) (Ukrainian)