Ukraine: Activists to demonstrate outside Verkhovna Rada on Dec. 15

Event

Independent business owners associated with the SaveFOP movement plan to protest outside the Verkhovna Rada building in central Kyiv starting at 0900 on Dec. 15. The purpose of the demonstration is to denounce coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related restrictions, which activists claim unfairly harms small businesses. In a previous demonstration on Dec. 4, protesters clashed with security forces.

Additional police will likely deploy to monitor the demonstration. Large numbers of people and associated security measures will likely prompt localized transport disruptions; traffic on Hrushevskoho Street will likely be sporadically blocked by the protest. Current COVID-19 measures in Kyiv restrict public gatherings; police may attempt to disperse activists if they are deemed to be violating these restrictions. Isolated clashes between police and activists are possible.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security officials and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check public transport schedules and local traffic conditions for disruptions and allow extra time for travel in the protest area.