Ukraine: Missile and artillery strikes reported in urban centers across Ukraine March 22 /update 44

Event

Russian air, missile, and artillery strikes against targets in Ukraine continue March 22. Russia's ground assaults remain largely static along multiple fronts. Kyiv and the wider region remain under a 35-hour curfew until 07:00 March 23 as the city continues to come under heavy bombardment from Russian forces. Russian shelling in the Luhansk Region has caused multiple casualties; at least two people were killed and three others wounded when Russian forces earlier shelled the town of Lysychansk. Shelling has also caused an unknown number of casualties in Severodonetsk in the Donetsk Region after Russian forces struck a supermarket and bus stop. Artillery and missiles also struck targets in the Sumy, Mykolaiv, Ternopil, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Odesa regions.

While Russian advances appear to have stalled across much of Ukraine, Ukrainian counteroffensives have reportedly pushed Russian lines back in places and retaken some territory. Counteroffensives have been reported to the west of Kyiv, where Ukrainian forces confirmed the recapture of Makariv, an outlying town, March 22. However, the most intense clashes continue to be reported in the southeast. Ukrainian troops held off Russian and separatist assaults on the towns of Kreminna, Severodonetsk, and Lysychansk in the Luhansk Region over the past 24 hours.

Heavy fighting is also taking place near Horlivka and Solodke in the Donetsk Region. Heavy bombardment of Mariupol is ongoing as defenders hold out against Russian and separatist assaults on the east and west of the city; intense fighting has been reported in the Azovstal Industrial Area to the east of the city center, while Russian forces have reportedly occupied Mariupol International Airport (MPW), located to the west of the city. Ukrainian officials rejected a Russian demand to surrender the city March 21. Ground assaults of lower intensity also continue to be reported in areas north and east of Mykolaiv, north of Kherson, and south of Zaporizhzhia.

Protests denouncing the Russian offensive and the subsequent occupation continue to take place in multiple urban centers. Most protests are reported in the Kherson Region, where Russian forces have been in control of Kherson city since March 2. Russian troops reportedly used tear gas to disperse a rally in Kherson March 22. Several previous rallies have also been subject to dispersal by Russian forces, with unconfirmed reports indicating Russian troops opened fire on protesters during rallies on March 21 and March 4. Elsewhere, protests have occurred in Berdyansk and Melitopol, which are also under Russian occupation. These actions highlight the difficulty Russian forces may encounter when attempting to impose order in some cities under their occupation.

Disruptions and Shortages
Ukrainian Railways (UZ) continues to operate evacuation trains from Kyiv and multiple other areas, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Clashes and artillery strikes periodically prompt the suspension of evacuations. Large crowds continue to be reported at stations offering evacuation services. Intercity and regional rail services are available intermittently; rail services are subject to disruptions without warning. Civilian aviation remains suspended and the nation's seaports are closed.

Nightly curfews are in effect in multiple regions during various time frames. In the Kyiv Region, a curfew is in place until 07:00 March 23; in Mykolaiv, a curfew is in place from 20:00-06:00; in Zaporizhzhia, the curfew is in place from 20:00-05:00; and, in Rivne, authorities have declared a curfew from 22:00-06:00. Generally, civilians must stay indoors during curfew hours; exemptions are in place for workers in critical infrastructure and persons seeking urgent medical care or bomb shelters. Depending on local developments, authorities may extend or amend curfew hours on short notice.

Intermittent telecommunications, internet, and utility disruptions continue across much of the country. Reports also indicate a shortage of basic supplies, including groceries and pharmaceutical products, in multiple cities facing Russian ground assaults. The most severe shortages and disruptions are consistently reported in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, which have suffered heavy bombardments and repeated ground assaults in recent days. Similar situations are likely in other cities facing Russian ground offensives or heavy bombardments. Finally, the National Bank of Ukraine has limited foreign currency transfers and withdrawals.

Ukraine's borders with Belarus, Russia, and the Transnistria region of Moldova are closed to foreign nationals; only Ukrainian citizens can enter from these areas. Ukraine's borders with Hungary, Moldova, Poland, and Slovakia remain open. Though congestion has eased since the early days of the conflict, delays may worsen depending on conflict developments elsewhere in the country.

Context

Offensive operations have increasingly focused on what appears to be Russia's main goal, the capture of the Donbas and securing an overland route from Russia to Crimea through Mariupol. Though progress has slowed considerably from the initial phase of the war, Russian forces and Russia-backed forces have made some minor gains in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, while continuing to close in on Mariupol city center. While negotiations are ongoing, it is likely that Russian officials will only present concrete proposals once they feel the military position in southeast Ukraine is relatively secure.

Recent talks have failed to yield any concrete de-escalation of the conflict, though both Russian and Ukrainian positions are believed to have softened. Moscow is reportedly no longer demanding Ukraine's unconditional surrender, while Kyiv has indicated a willingness to abandon the pursuit of NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees.

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)
Listing of Available Trains by City (Ukrainian)
State Border Guard Service (Facebook) (Ukrainian)