Ukraine: Entry ban for Russian men aged 16-60 /update 5

Event

The Ukrainian government has banned all male Russian nationals aged 16 to 60 from entering the country beginning on Friday, November 30, amid heightened tensions with Russia. Increased security checks had already been imposed at border crossings in regions bordering Russia, the Azov Sea, and Crimea, and foreign nationals had been banned from leaving Ukraine via Crimea.

Context

Martial law was implemented November 28 in the central and eastern regions of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporishia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Vinnitsa, as well as the Azov-Kerch Strait basin. Under the martial law decree, authorities can restrict public rallies, regulate media, impose curfews, increase security measures at government buildings and other points of interest, seize private property, and call for military mobilization by eligible citizens, among other measures. The order is in response to a November 25 incident in the Kerch Strait in which Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian naval vessels and arrested several Ukrainian sailors. It is expected to remain into effect until December 27.

Advice

Individuals in Ukraine are advised to monitor developments to the situation, adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, and be prepared for disruptions at land border crossings.

Due to an ongoing separatist conflict in the east, many Western governments advise against travel to the far east, including the cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, and Luhansk.