Since the 2014 Maidan revolution, Ukraine has been through some troublesome times. The eastern part of the country i.e. Luhansk and Donetsk are under the control of the insurgents whilst the Crimean peninsula has been incorporated into the Russian Federation. Despite the ongoing conflict in the country tourist may still enjoy the charms of Ukrainian cities such as Lviv or Kyiv or visit Odesa and enjoy the Black sea coast. Although the country has a lot to offer, there are certain precautions and information all visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

In order to enter Ukraine, some nationals must obtain a visa whilst other may enter the country for 90 up to 180 days without the requirement of such document however if exceeding such period the document must be obtained. There are a few nationals who may enter the country for an indefinite amount of time without the need for a visa. Tourists who decide to drive in Ukraine must obtain an international driving permit which is only valid for a time period of 90 days. After that time, Ukrainian driving permit must be obtained. Drivers must have all their vehicle documentation with them whilst drive. If coming into Ukraine by a land border in a private vehicle, an environmental sticker must be purchased and stamped by the border guard officer. Traveling to Crimea through Ukraine now requires special permission from the Ukrainian officials.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions in Ukraine vary. Whilst major urban areas generally have the well-maintained infrastructure, roads outside of towns and cities are quite poorly maintained and often ill-repaired. There quite a significant risk of driving in Ukraine. Local drivers often do not respect the traffic laws, drive aggressively, drunk drive or drive without a proper training meaning they do not have a driving license. The right of way for the pedestrians is also often not respected. Driving out in the country at night or during heavy winter is generally discouraged due to the possible dangers it brings. Wild animals often wander onto roads outside of urban areas and create a significant risk of a traffic accident. This particularly applies to nighttime driving. Traveling to the very southeast of the country, namely Luhansk and Donetsk is discouraged.

Environmental hazards

Ukraine is a large country stretching from the Carpathians all the way to the eastern steppes. Ukrainian fauna is quite rich and there are several animals which can pose a significant threat for people. The Ukrainian Carpathian mountains house quite a large population of brown bears however there is no exact number as these animals often migrate between Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania. These large predators can pose a significant threat to an unsuspecting human. Although predatory in nature bears rather avoid human contact and areas of human activity. While hiking through the Carpathians it is advised to make as many human noises as possible i.e. to talk loud, even if alone to let the bears know of your presence and allow them to retreat. Surprising a bear especially getting up close when the bear is with cubs will most likely result in a defensive attack. There is a steady population of wolves in Ukraine. The vast majority of them, however, inhabit the exclusion zone around Chernobyl, these animals generally do not attack humans however approaching such animals may result in serious injuries or even death. There are two venomous species of animals in Ukraine. One of the is the karakurt, which is a small venomous spider. Although fatalities are rare, it is still a possibility, these spiders have been known to down animals such as camels in Kazakhstan. It is best to avoid being bitten by one. The common European adder is present in Ukraine and can pose a threat. Although bites can cause serious injuries, fatalities are rather rare. Ticks are present throughout Ukraine. These small parasites carry Lyme disease which is a very serious illness affecting internal organs including the brain and nervous system. The disease is curable in early stages however late stages are difficult to cure. These parasites are particularly present in low shrubs where they can easily get onto their victim. The last one is rather surprising and applies only to those visiting the zone. Since the zone became a popular tourist spot, stray dogs inhabited the areas often begging for food. There is a significant population of dogs and puppies which approach people looking to be petted and given food, and although giving them food is fine, petting those animals will mostly result in receiving doses of radiation. These animals because of where they were born, carry radioactive particles in their fur which spread to those who come into contact with their fur. As cute as the Chernobyl puppies may be, do not pet them for your own safety. Swimming in the Black Sea is generally safe. There are no fish species in the Black Sea that could deal with any serious damage to humans.
Ukraine suffers mostly from floods and harsh winters. There have been instances of serious earthquakes however there have been none in the past decade.

Health hazards

There is currently an outbreak of measles in Ukraine. The routine vaccines also are known as the MMR or Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine should sort out a safe trip. There are other vaccines which are recommended but not required. These are the hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccines. Healthcare in Ukraine is in a difficult situation. Despite the official statistics and having most doctors and beds per capita in Europe, many physicians refuse to work due to poor wages. Despite free healthcare for citizens, most treatments and pharmaceuticals cost money. Private facilities will deliver a much better quality of care however private services will come at an expense.
In case of an emergency dial 103.

Crime

Ukraine is currently going through a difficult situation. The Crimean peninsula has been annexed and the south-east of the country, namely Luhansk and Donetsk and the surrounding areas are run by insurgents of Novorossiya. Rest of the country runs as normal with relatively low crime rates and quite a number of tourists. Unless traveling to insurgent areas, tourists should mostly worry about petty crime such as theft, pickpocketing or car theft. To avoid falling a victim of thieves it is best to avoid exposing signs of wealth by being indiscreet with money, wearing expensive jewelry or very expensive clothes. Popular tourist spots or public communication are hotspots for pickpockets. Owners of expensive sedans and SUVs might fall victim of car theft when parking their car in an unguarded parking lot. Stolen cars are most commonly sold for parts. It is highly recommended to use guarded parking lots. Any type of narcotics is illegal in Ukraine and are punishable by jail sentences or deportation in case of expats.

Summary

Despite the ongoing situation in the country tourist should feel safe to visit Kyiv and all parts west of the capital including the infamous exclusion zone. The old cities of Kyiv, Lviv or Odesa offer incredible experience and atmosphere not to be experienced anywhere else. Incredible architecture and landmark structures such as castles and palaces are abundant and awaiting exploration. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://mfa.gov.ua/en/consular-affairs/entering-ukraine/visa-requirements-for-foreigners
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ukraine