Ukraine: Missile strikes reported in western regions March 11 as clashes continue in multiple areas /update 32

Event

Russian missile strikes have targeted cities in central and western Ukraine March 11 as clashes continue in multiple areas. At least three missiles struck a military airfield in the northwestern city of Lutsk, killing four soldiers. Missiles also struck an airfield and other locations in the western city of Ivano-Frankisk, as well as several locations in the central city of Dnipro early March 11, causing an unconfirmed number of casualties.

Intense bombardments have also continued in the eastern city of Kharkiv and in settlements to the south of the city, including Izyum. Authorities are struggling to extinguish several large blazes in Kharkiv amid the bombardment. Rocket strikes and artillery shelling have also been reported in Chernihiv and Sumy March 11.

Heavy fighting continues to take place to the west, northwest, and east of Kyiv, including in Irpen and Bucha. Heavy fighting has continued on the outskirts of Chernihiv city as well as elsewhere in Chernihiv Region, particularly near Hlukiv.

Russian troops have encircled or partially encircled the cities of Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Mariupol, Polohy, Enerhodar, 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, at least 516 civilians have been killed and 908 others 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 Irpen 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 Region, 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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated March 11 that he is ready for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin but will not offer an unconditional surrender as Russia has demanded. It is unclear if Putin will accept Zelensky's offer after consistently rebuffing efforts to hold high-level talks before hostilities began. The foreign ministers of the two countries met in Antalya, Turkey, March 10 but failed to agree to a 24-hour ceasefire or on humanitarian relief for Mariupol during their meeting. Ukraine continues to demand 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.

Russian forces will likely continue in their attempts to encircle Kyiv in the coming days. A Russian armored convoy that was making its way to Kyiv in recent days has apparently dispersed, likely deploying additional forces and weaponry to positions in proximity to the capital.

In the southeast, Russian forces are reportedly moving northward from Melitopol and Polohy, and may approach Zaporizhzhia in the coming days. Russia may also attempt further advances in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions; further advances to the west of Mykolaiv towards Odesa threaten to cut Ukraine off from supplies via the Black Sea.

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)