Ukraine Country Report

Ukraine is currently engaged in a major conflict with Russia. Large swaths of the country are currently under Russian occupation, including large parts of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as minor parts of Kharkiv Region. This is in addition to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia previously illegally annexed. There are daily armed clashes in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and the central government forbids unauthorized persons from visiting frontline areas in these regions. Although most direct combat continues to take place in the aforementioned regions, conflict incidents, and conflict-related disruptions continue to impact the entire country. Russian aerial bombardments of major cities in central and western regions under Kyiv's control cause frequent utility disruptions, including power, water, and telecommunications outages.

The country is under a nationwide martial law decree. Ukrainian fighting-aged men are prohibited from leaving the country without authorization. Curfews are in effect in multiple regions. Demonstrations are currently restricted due to the risks posed by the ongoing conflict; however, occasional minor gatherings occasionally occur in major cities, including Kyiv and Lviv. Ukraine has closed its border checkpoints with Belarus, Russia, and the breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova to foreign nationals; however, Ukrainian citizens are permitted to return. Border crossings with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the rest of Moldova remain open.

Russian authorities have declared martial law in Russian-occupied areas of the four Ukrainian regions Moscow has unilaterally annexed, namely Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

It is currently not possible to reach Ukraine via air or sea transport; however, freight shipping of grain and other goods is continuing via a 'humanitarian corridor' unilaterally set up by Kyiv following the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Although the threat of a Russian sea blockade remains, Moscow and Kyiv appear to be maintaining a tacit agreement to avoid targeting commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Nonetheless, without an explicit agreement, shipping in the waterway remains uncertain.

Ukraine suffers from relatively high levels of poverty and systemic corruption. Foreign direct investment is often hampered by political divisions and complex regulations. Petty crime poses a significant threat to travelers, especially pickpocketing and scamming; the conflict will likely exacerbate these concerns.

As the conflict remains primarily concentrated in the east and the south of the country, particularly in the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, residents are increasingly returning to central and western areas, particularly Kyiv. Additionally, despite numerous foreign governments advising against travel to Ukraine, many business operations are ongoing in the country's central and western regions.

The Ukrainian armed forces are currently involved in a large-scale conflict with Russian and pro-Russian forces. Russian troops initially deployed in the north (Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy regions), south (Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions), and east (Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions) but have since withdrawn from the north. Ukrainian forces later launched offensive operations into Russia's Kursk Oblast, where combat is ongoing.

The conflict began days after the Kremlin recognized the independence of the separatist ’republics’ that occupy much of Ukraine’s southeastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions; separatist leadership subsequently asked for Russian support and protection from alleged Ukrainian attacks. Russian forces entered the Luhansk and Donetsk regions before launching offensives into the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The initial offensive involved the entire Donbas region, the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia with forces rapidly deployed from Crimea, and the northern regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy, with Moscow’s troops advancing from Belarus and Russia. Following stout resistance and severe logistical delays, the Kremlin’s forces announced a withdrawal from northern regions, including Kyiv, leaving the area heavily damaged. Conflict is ongoing in the east, where pro-Russia separatist forces alongside the Russian armed forces have long maintained an occupation of the Donbas region. Russia’s military operations in the country have caused massive displacement and relocation of civilians to the West of the country and towards the EU. The conflict and associated political divisions also increase the risk of localized terror attacks in major urban centers as well as public unrest. Protests may occur in Russian-controlled urban centers against the occupying forces, as well as in other urban centers over corruption and issues relating to poor governance.

Criminal activity is also a concern; pickpockets and scammers may target travelers due to their perceived wealth. In the areas affected by the conflict, looters may carry out raids in abandoned commercial facilities and households. Organized crime is prevalent in some cities; however, associated violence is unlikely to affect travelers to the country.

All Ukrainian airspace is closed to commercial flights due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian aerial bombardment targeting critical infrastructure continues to impact the power supply network in all major cities. Short-notice disruptions to energy and water supplies are likely immediately following Russian airstrikes. Ukrenergo, the national power company, implements periodic restrictions on energy consumption, including rolling blackouts, to stabilize the grid or carry out repairs.

Ukrainian Railways has restored near-regular commuter services throughout much of the central and western parts of the country. However, rail services are subject to disruptions without warning.

The ports of Kherson and Mykolaiv remain closed; the Port of Odesa is operating freight transport services at a reduced level. Much of Ukraine's Black Sea coast remains under the control of Russian forces.

Intermittent telecommunications, internet, and utility disruptions continue across the country as a result of the conflict.

Combat operations in eastern Ukraine and state-sponsored cyberattacks may target energy and telecommunications infrastructure, leading to disruptions.

Hazardous local driving habits combined with generally poor winter road conditions outside of major cities can make overland travel dangerous in Ukraine.

Ukraine has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Flooding is a concern in Ukraine, particularly in rural areas due to heavy rain in the spring and summer months. Heavy snowstorms and harsh weather conditions are a safety concern during winter months, often disrupting overland transport and leading to power outages. The accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 continues to generate health concerns in the northern border regions of Ukraine due to radiation; a federally administered exclusion zone remains in place. There is a serious risk of death and injury due to the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, particularly in the conflict zone.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to degrade healthcare infrastructure and capacity. Several health facilities have been subject to attack and reports indicate a shortage of basic supplies, including pharmaceutical products, in multiple cities facing Russian ground assaults. The passage of medical supplies to areas outside the central government's control is uncertain. Intermittent power supply problems have impacted water purification and distribution services, and water should be treated with caution.

Standard vaccinations are recommended for travel. Medical facilities outside of major cities typically do not meet international standards and access to good quality health care may be an issue. Complex cases may require medical evacuation.

Ukraine is a unitary multi-party semi-presidential republic. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government. The president, prime minister and cabinet exercise executive power, while legislative power resides with the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). The judiciary is nominally independent of the executive and the legislature, although in practice it is vulnerable to external pressures. Presidential elections take place once every five years, while Verkhovna Rada elections take place at least once every five years.

Coalitions featuring a cross-section of political parties are typically required to form the government. Traditional government collapses are rare; however, periodic revolutions have resulted in government collapse and state reformation in the post-Soviet era. State institutions can be unreliable, particularly in frontline areas.