Since Russia began its full-scale war in 2022, Ukrainians have courageously fended off the enemy on the front lines. Despite safety risks and their governments' recommendations not to do so, many foreigners have continued visiting Ukraine — some to help resilient Ukrainians as volunteers and some to support local businesses as tourists.
According to Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, over 2.4 million foreigners crossed the border to Ukraine in 2023 and 536,729 during January-April 2024. Kyiv is often the most popular destination, with 200,000 foreign visitors in 2023, according to the Ukrainian capital's administration.
If you're considering a trip to Kyiv and wondering if it's safe to follow other visitors' suit, you're at the right place. In this article, Rubryka explains what to expect when traveling to Kyiv as a foreigner.
Security situation in Kyiv now
Is it safe to travel to Kyiv: People walk past anti-tank hedgehogs in Independence Square in Kyiv in 2022. Photo: SOPA/Newscom
Over two years of the war, many foreigners have placed their confidence in Ukraine, not only visiting the country but also coming to live there permanently. Viacheslav Huz, the head of Ukraine's Migration Service in the city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, stated that more than 50,000 foreign citizens are documented with a permanent residence permit, and over 23,000 foreigners live temporarily in the territory of the Ukrainian capital and the region.
Embassies have also returned to Kyiv after being sent away by their governments at the start of the invasion. The most powerful democracies, like the US, UK, and France, restored their diplomatic operations two to three months into the war. Meanwhile, new countries have considered opening their first representative offices in the Ukrainian capital.
How could any of this be possible? The answer is Ukraine's air defense forces. Armed with partner-supplied systems, they have monitored and protected the sky over Ukraine, including Kyiv, from Russian threats, issued warnings for civilians, and downed dangerous aerial objects. American publication Politico even went on to dub Kyiv a "safe haven" because it has the most significant number of air defense systems, including Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T, protecting its airspace.
What to expect if you visit Kyiv
Traveling to Kyiv as a foreigner: The exhibition of damaged Russian military equipment in the center of Kyiv in 2022. Photo: Getty Images
Even though most active hostilities unfold in the east and south of Ukraine, and Kyiv can be confidently named the most protected city in Ukraine, the capital is still vulnerable to missile and drone strikes as Russia continues to target civilians and critical infrastructure across the country. Sirens, air raid alerts, and explosions are still a part of life in the city.
While air defense forces do everything in their power to repel Russian air attacks, each visitor needs to be responsible and follow safety protocols, such as seeking shelter during alerts. In 2023, Ukraine built over 61,000 air alert shelters around the country. Kyiv has 4,141 shelters and 52 subway stations (with a capacity of up to 200,000 people).
The security situation can fluctuate, so you'll need to monitor real-time updates from official sources like the government, local news, embassy websites, and air raid alert websites or apps, like the Air Raid app (Apple App Store and Google Play Store). You should also take cover if you hear the air raid warning on the street.
If you are traveling to Kyiv as a foreigner, expect to follow the curfew that Ukrainians have observed since the introduction of martial law. At the moment, Kyiv has a curfew from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., so we don't recommend being outside or in public places at this time. Because Ukraine is at war, you may come across public memorials or funeral processions, so be respectful.
Should you visit Kyiv?
Is it safe to travel to Kyiv: Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv. Photo: Andrii Yakymenko
Even though traveling to Kyiv now is not without significant risks, it remains a vibrant city with open shops, restaurants, tourist attractions, hotels, cultural events, operating public transport, and more. Daily life in Kyiv has adapted to the war, and Ukrainians are trying to live their lives as normal as the war allows them. They don't lose hope and bring their children up in the city, work and pay taxes, run their businesses, develop Ukraine's economy, and support the Ukrainian armed forces.
Is it safe to travel to Kyiv: Night falls on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Photo: Vladyslav Lypovyi
If you choose to visit Kyiv, you'll be able to support local tourism, which has faced unbelievable challenges. You can also help sustain Ukrainian entrepreneurs and, by extension, the Ukrainian economy, which needs to grow to fund the post-war recovery. You can learn more about Ukraine's culture and its fight against the enemy and show solidarity with the Ukrainian people at local memorials.
If you are traveling to Kyiv as a foreigner, stay informed, plan meticulously, and prepare for the unpredictable. Find out important information about travel restrictions and insurance, learn emergency procedures, and remember the locations of the shelters near your place of stay. Respect local safety rules and the way of life of the country in a state of war.
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