Ukraine: Authorities in Kyiv impose 35-hour curfew starting 20:00 March 15 /update 37

Event

Authorities in Kyiv will impose a 35-hour curfew from 20:00 March 15 to 07:00 March 17 amid increased Russian missile and artillery strikes on the city. Civilians may only travel with special permission or to air raid shelters during the curfew. Separately, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) voted to extend martial law through April 25. Martial law gives the government emergency powers to carry out extraordinary measures for the defense of the country. Public gatherings are prohibited and authorities may use private property for the needs of defense.

Ukraine confirmed humanitarian corridors were available to evacuate several urban centers March 15. Despite continued artillery fire from Russian or Russia-backed forces, the partial evacuation of Mariupol is underway towards Zaporizhzhia. Evacuation routes are also available from Sumy towards Poltava, from several villages south of Kharkiv city towards Dnipro, and from several outlying settlements east of Kyiv towards Brovary.

Russian air, missile, and artillery strikes against targets in Ukraine continue on March 15 as Russia's ground assaults along multiple fronts appear to have slowed. Airstrikes in Kyiv early March 15 killed five people. Some clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces also took place to the northeast of the city near Irpin and Bucha. A number of missile strikes on Dnipro International Airport (DNK) severely damaged the runway and airport infrastructure. Russian bombardment of Kharkiv continued overnight; at least seven people have been confirmed dead.

Ground clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian forces or Russia-backed separatists are ongoing in multiple parts of the country. The most intense fighting March 15 has been reported in the Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, where Russian forces continue to engage Ukrainian defenders near Severodonetsk in the Luhansk Region, as well as on the outskirts of Izyum in the Kharkiv Region. Unconfirmed reports indicate Ukrainian units defending Izyum have staged a counterattack successfully pushing Russian forces out of the town. However, heavy artillery bombardment of both Severodonetsk and Izyum is ongoing.

Protests denouncing the Russian offensive and the subsequent occupation have taken place in multiple urban centers. Russian forces reportedly fired into the air to disperse a gathering in Kherson March 14. Residents have held protests in urban centers throughout the Kherson Region in recent days. Elsewhere, protests have been held 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. Ukrainian officials claim that the mayor of Dniprorudne was abducted or detained by Russian forces March 13.

Curfews and Disruptions
Nightly curfews are in effect in multiple regions during various time frames. 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. Conflict-affected cities will likely continue to see periodic runs on grocery stores, ATMs, supermarkets, and petrol stations, as well as significant traffic congestion on major westward roads, depending on local conflict developments.

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. 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.

Critical Infrastructure
Rail and road routes to the south and west of Kyiv remain largely operational, though ongoing clashes and artillery strikes periodically prompt the suspension of evacuations. Civilian aviation is suspended and the nation's seaports are closed. Russia has temporarily stopped commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainian Railways (UZ) continues to operate evacuation trains from multiple regions, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kryvyi Rih, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Other intercity and regional services are available intermittently. Rail services are subject to disruptions with little warning. Large crowds continue to be reported at stations offering evacuation services.

Intermittent telecommunications and internet disruptions continue across much of the country. Power, water, gas, and other utilities or amenities have been disrupted throughout the Luhansk and Sumy regions, as well as in Chernihiv, Okhtyrka, Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Izyum. Similar utility disruptions are highly likely in other urban centers facing artillery and rocket bombardment. The National Bank of Ukraine has limited foreign currency transfers and withdrawals.

Context

Ongoing negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials have yet to yield any concrete results; however, Russian and Ukrainian officials intimated March 13 that talks are reportedly progressing, with positive results possible in the coming days. Ukraine has demanded a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces, while Russia has demanded that Ukraine surrender, disarm, and declare itself to be a neutral country remaining outside NATO and the EU.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted March 12 that Moscow could only take Kyiv if it "razes the city to the ground," indicating that Ukrainian leadership is unlikely to voluntarily submit to an agreement that surrenders the capital city to the Russian military. Zelensky has, however, said that he is open to discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly in Jerusalem with the mediation of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

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)