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Latest updates: Political violence
Last updated: April 8, 2024
Recent updates:
Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian energy and power facilities continue. Electricity facilities in Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, and Odessa oblast were reportedly targeted. Striking Ukrainian critical infrastructure may be seen as a prelude to a wider Russian summer offensive.
On March 27, 2024, casualties among Ukrainian forces were reported as Russian forces allegedly took control of Ivanivske and Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast.
Russian offensive actions have increased in tempo in parts of Donetsk Oblast, being clustered near Chasiv Yar, Terny, Berdychi, and Tonenke. Delays in security assistance, from the U.S. especially, are likely to hinder Ukraine’s ability to respond to the increased tempo of Russian attacks.
General overview
On February 24, 2022, Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine. Bombardments, explosions and missile launches are occurring on a daily basis. Thousands of civilian casualties have been reported. There are basic supply shortages and essential services disruptions in certain areas. A nationwide state of emergency is in place.
The terrorism threat in Ukraine is low, however, attacks cannot be ruled out. Potential targets include shopping areas, places of worship, sporting venues, public transport, airports and other transport hubs, and places where people gather.
Criminal activity, including burglaries, robberies, muggings, and pickpocketing is increasingly a problem in Ukraine. Cases of assaults in apartment building corridors, elevators, and stairwells, as well as armed break-ins and crimes involving firearms, have also been reported.
Large-scale protests have occurred from time to time in cities throughout Ukraine. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Private clinics and hospitals offer a better standard of care, though these do not always meet western standards and practices. Outside the major cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv, the standard of state medical facilities in Ukraine is generally low and there are frequent shortages of medical supplies.
Ukraine airspace is currently closed. There are no civilian flights operating in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion of the country. The government of Ukraine has declared a state of emergency and imposed martial law, which gives local authorities broad powers to enforce security measures such as curfews, security checks, mandatory evacuation, prohibition of assemblies, mandatory mobilization and exit ban.
On June 6, 2023, the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson region was destroyed causing extensive flooding along the lower Dnipro river. As of June 19, 2023, 52 total deaths have been reported due to flooding caused by the dam. Both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for causing the destruction of the dam.
The terrorism threat in Ukraine is low, however, attacks cannot be ruled out. Potential targets include shopping areas, places of worship, sporting venues, public transport, airports and other transport hubs, and places where people gather.
Small-scale bombings continue to occur throughout Ukraine. While most attacks are at night and appear intended to cause property damage and incite fear, multiple attacks within the past year have been fatal, sometimes occurring in populated areas during daylight hours.
The terrorism threat is higher in the areas of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblast.
There is a moderate risk of crime in the country Criminal activity, including burglaries, robberies, muggings, and pickpocketing is increasingly a problem in Ukraine. Cases of assaults in apartment building corridors, elevators, and stairwells, as well as armed break-ins and crimes involving firearms, have also been reported.
Recently, there has been an increase in reports of criminals luring unsuspecting visitors to Ukraine with promises of cheap lodging and/or companionship. The criminals then forcibly abduct the visitors and proceed to make unauthorized transactions via their victims’ bank cards and accounts.
Small-scale targeted bombings, including car bombs, have on occasion occurred in Ukraine, including in Kyiv. Attacks are generally linked to criminal activity or are politically motivated with the intent to damage property. Some attacks have resulted in casualties.
There is a moderate risk of political violence in the country. Large-scale protests have occurred from time to time in cities throughout Ukraine. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. In Kyiv, large demonstrations have taken place around the Maidan Nezalezhnosti, St Michael’s Square, outside the Presidential Administration, Parliament and other government offices. Public transportation is regularly disrupted during protests and demonstrations.
Due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been a decrease in demonstration activity in the country. However, protests are regularly held in Russian-controlled areas by civilians against the Russian presence. Russian forces have resorted to force to disperse these demonstrations.
Private clinics and hospitals offer a better standard of care, though these do not always meet western standards and practices. Outside the major cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv, the standard of state medical facilities in Ukraine is generally low and there are frequent shortages of medical supplies. Most staff only speak Ukrainian or Russian.
There are some health concerns in the country. Cases of polio were reported in 2017 and cases of measles were reported in 2016. There are frequent outbreaks of tuberculosis in southern (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia) and eastern Ukraine (Donetsk, Kharkiv, Chernihiv). Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Travelling in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases. Ticks are common from spring to autumn.
Following the disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, an exclusion zone of 30 km was established by local authorities which includes the cities of Prypiat and Chornobyl. The exclusion zone remains radioactive.
COVID-19 also remains a risk in the country. COVID-19 measures were suspended since the introduction of martial law. Masks are not obligatory, though they remain “recommended” in public places.
On September 15, 2022, the 1st case of monkeypox was reported in the country.
The country is generally subject to potential natural catastrophes including floods, wildfires and earthquakes.
Forest fires can occur in eastern and southern Ukraine during the hottest summer months of July and August.
Although Ukraine has not suffered large-scale earthquakes in recent decades, tremors can occur especially in the south (Crimea – Black Sea).
Flooding occurs in western Ukraine during the winter thaw and following sustained heavy rains. This may cause damage to roads and infrastructure.