ASIA

Taiwan (Security threat level – 1): At approximately 0900 local time (0100 UTC) on 3 March 2022, a widespread power outage occurred in Taiwan, leaving more than 5 million households without electricity. The southwestern cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan were particularly affected, while rolling blackouts were reported across the island, including in the capital Taipei as well as in Miaoli and Taichung. Emergency crews and firefighters were deployed to respond to outage-related emergency situations, such as traffic accidents and elevator entrapments. Electricity was largely restored on the island by the evening hours. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Taiwan Power Company attributed the cause of the blackout to human negligence during routine maintenance at the Hsinta electrical plant in Kaohsiung.

EUROPE

Albania (Security threat level – 3): On 3 March 2022, public health officials in Albania annulled the coronavirus-related nationwide nightly curfew, which had been in effect from 2300-0600 local time (2200-0500 UTC) since March 2020. The cancellation follows a consistent decrease in reported new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks and an overall improvement in the country’s epidemiological situation. However, some restrictions — such as five-day self-quarantines in cases of infection, indoor face mask mandates, and the requirement to present results from a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours earlier for entry into the country — remain in force.

France (Security threat level – 3): On 2 March 2022, an assailant armed with a knife staged an attack at a university in the town of Le Mans, located approximately 210 km (130 mi) southeast of Paris. Three students and a professor were wounded in the event. Police officers arrested the suspect. Local law enforcement authorities stated that the suspect was found to have mental issues and did not profess any religious ideologies during his attack. The attack does not appear to be an act of terrorism.

Ukraine (Security threat level – 5): On 3 March 2022, Russian forces continue to intensify their attacks in major Ukrainian cities. Russian troops on the previous day gained control of the southeastern city of Kherson, situated on the Dnieper River near the Black Sea. The seizure of Kherson marks the first significant strategic gain for Russian forces since the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. The city of Chernihiv — located approximately 150 km (95 mi) from the capital Kyiv — and the northeastern city of Kharkiv remain under Ukrainian control, despite intense clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces. In the southeastern region, Russian forces and Russia-backed separatists claim to have surrounded the port city of Mariupol, where concentrated shelling continued overnight on 2-3 March. Separatist forces from the Donetsk region have threatened to stage targeted airstrikes on Mariupol if Ukrainian soldiers do not surrender. The seizure of Mariupol would provide a corridor for Russian forces from Donetsk to the now-seized city of Kherson, which is linked to the Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula.

In Kyiv, at least four powerful explosions occurred overnight on 2-3 March, and as many as 15,000 residents are estimated to be taking refuge in underground train stations. Russian troops continue to meet staunch opposition from Ukrainian forces and have made little progress toward capturing the city. The majority of Russian troops remain stationed near Hostomel’s Antonov Airport (UKKM/GML), located approximately 30 km northwest of Kyiv’s city center. The massive Russian convoy en route to the city has not made any recent notable progress. U.S. officials suspect that the convoy is stalled due to logistical issues, including fuel and food shortages.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 2 March 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Acts of civil disobedience are expected to take place tomorrow, March 3rd, in Khartoum and potentially in other states. This may include centralized or decentralized demonstrations, road blockages by protesters, and business closures. Security forces may close bridges. Unannounced protests and other acts of civil disobedience may continue to take place in the coming weeks, in addition to larger organized protests. Embassy personnel have been encouraged to work from home in the afternoon.”