Ukraine: Protests possible amid tensions with Russia /update 1

Event

Further protests are possible throughout Ukraine in the coming days amid increasing tensions with Russia, following the Black Sea incident that occurred on Sunday, November 25. Associated traffic disruptions are expected, along with potential unrest. The Ukrainian Parliament is expected to discuss a proposal to declare martial law nationwide on Monday afternoon (local time).

Demonstrations took place in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv on the night of November 25; participants reportedly threw smoke bombs and attempted to burn tires.

Context

On November 25, Russian forces opened fire on three Ukrainian Navy ships in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait. According to reports, the Russian Navy then boarded and seized the three ships, wounding several Ukrainian sailors. Russian officials claim the ships illegally entered Russian waters while the Ukrainian government claims it had notified Russia of the transit. Russia reportedly later placed ships under the Kerch bridge, blocking all commercial shipping through the Kerch Strait. Further incidents between Russian and Ukrainian forces cannot be ruled out.

Conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine in April 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Since then, tensions remain high between the two countries and Ukrainian state forces regularly clash with Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine despite a number of ceasefire agreements made since 2014. According to the UN, more than 10,300 people have died in the conflict.

Advice

Individuals in Ukraine are advised to monitor developments to the situation, adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, and avoid any protests. Due to the ongoing conflict, many Western governments advise against travel to the far east of Ukraine, including the cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka,  and Luhansk.