It appears you have not registered with our community. To register please click here ...

!!

Welcome to Russian Women Discussion - the most informative site for all things related to serious long-term relationships and marriage to a partner from the Former Soviet Union countries!

Please register (it's free!) to gain full access to the many features and benefits of the site. Welcome!

+-

Author Topic: Ukraine Travel Warning  (Read 2943 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline XMan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 636
  • Country: us
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Looking > 5 years
  • Trips: > 10
Ukraine Travel Warning
« on: February 22, 2014, 04:33:59 PM »
Received this notice Friday, 2/21/14, from the feds (see below). 

If you are planning on traveling to Ukraine, Russia, or elsewhere, I recommend you register your trip.  The embassy will then have some idea where you are and how to reach you.  Of course, your e-mails, Skype sessions, voice calls, etc., are probably already being monitored, but hey, this might be helpful in the event of an issue that arises.

The website is STEP, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program:
http://step.state.gov/step/

 Ukraine Travel Warning  Last Updated: February 20, 2014     The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing political unrest and violent clashes between police and protestors.   U.S. citizens in Ukraine, and those considering travel to Ukraine, should evaluate their personal security situation in light of the escalating violence, particularly in Kyiv.  This replaces the Travel Alert for Ukraine dated February 18, 2014.  On February 20, 2014, the Department of State authorized the departure of all family members of U.S. government personnel from Ukraine.  While the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv¿s Consular Section is open for public services, the Embassy¿s ability to respond to emergencies involving U.S. citizens throughout Ukraine is limited.
   The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Ukraine to evaluate carefully the risks posed to their personal safety, particularly in the capital city of Kyiv.  Since February 18, there has been a sharp escalation in violence between protestors and police, resulting in multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries.  The Ukrainian Security Services announced that they may use ¿extraordinary measures¿ to remove protestors from occupied areas.  Protestors remain in Kyiv¿s Independence Square and have occupied several government buildings in Kyiv and other cities throughout Ukraine.  Groups of young men, popularly called ¿titushky,¿ have attacked journalists and protestors and committed other random acts of violence in Kyiv and other cities.  Since February 19, the use of gunfire against protestors and journalists has been reported.
Ground transportation is currently disrupted in Kyiv and some other parts of the country.  Since February 18, local authorities have shut down the Kyiv Metro (subway) for extended periods and cancelled inter-city trains on some routes with little or no notice.  Ukrainian authorities have set up roadblocks that restrict access on certain roads entering Kyiv and adjacent to protest areas.  Commercial flights to and from Ukraine are currently operating normally.
The situation in Ukraine is unpredictable and could change quickly.  Further violent clashes between police and protestors in Kyiv and other cities are possible.  The location and nature of demonstrations and methods employed by the police can change quickly and without warning.  Protest sites continue to draw large crowds.  U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings.  U.S. citizens whose residences or hotels are located in the vicinity of the protests are cautioned to leave those areas or prepare to remain indoors, possibly for several days, while clashes occur.  U.S. citizens in Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv, should follow media reports closely as events develop.
Protests in Kyiv began on November 21, 2013, following the Government of Ukraine¿s announcement that it was suspending preparations to sign an association agreement with the European Union.  On November 30, police severely injured several demonstrators in an attempt to remove them from Independence Square.  Protesters retaliated by occupying Kyiv¿s Independence Square, City Administration Building (i.e. City Hall) and other buildings.  Since then, there have been several clashes between protestors and police resulting in numerous injuries.  On January 19, violence escalated with protesters and police using stones, Molotov cocktails, tear gas and rubber bullets.  The violence escalated again on February 18 and since that time the situation continues to deteriorate.
U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ukraine are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest travel updates and to obtain updated information on security within Ukraine. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
For inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Ukraine related to the current unrest, please call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444, or email the Department of State at UkraineEmergencyUSC@state.gov.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  For emergency assistance for U.S. citizens in Ukraine, you may contact the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv at +380-44-521-5000 during regular business hours, or after-hours at +380-44-521-5000.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 4 A.I. Sikorsky St. (formerly Tankova) in Kyiv.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information can be found.  Follow us on Twitter  and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook  as well.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
 

Offline JayH

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5685
  • Country: au
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Looking > 5 years
  • Trips: > 10
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2014, 04:59:53 PM »
Warning is already out of date-information is incorrect  as of now.
Serious comment-- if guys are such sooks that they are incapable of dealing with situation in Ukraine-they are looking in the wrong place . Ukraine girls have  will eat them alive. ;D
SLAVA UKRAYINI  ! HEROYAM SLAVA!!!!
Слава Украине! Слава героям слава!Слава Україні! Слава героям!
 translated as: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!!!  is a Ukrainian greeting slogan being used now all over Ukraine to signify support for a free independent Ukraine

Offline cc3

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 898
  • Country: us
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Married 0-2 years
  • Trips: Resident
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2014, 08:05:39 PM »
Warning is already out of date-information is incorrect  as of now.
Serious comment-- if guys are such sooks that they are incapable of dealing with situation in Ukraine-they are looking in the wrong place . Ukraine girls have  will eat them alive. ;D

+1. Glory to the heroes!

Offline rkn777

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 68
  • Country: 00
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: No Selection
  • Status: Looking 1-2 years
  • Trips: > 10
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2014, 12:00:17 PM »
I think it would be a safe time to travel to Ukraine. The current drama would not deter me if I were planning a visit. I have been to place the state department has warned about (Mindanao) and as along as the people you are with are locals, and you are not participating in the civil unreast, you are well.

Had an infamous time in Vinnitsa, , but now happily married to a Chinese woman.

Offline ML

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12252
  • Country: us
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Married > 10 years
  • Trips: > 10
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2014, 12:13:41 PM »
Warning is already out of date-information is incorrect  as of now.
Serious comment-- if guys are such sooks that they are incapable of dealing with situation in Ukraine-they are looking in the wrong place . Ukraine girls have  will eat them alive. ;D

I don't know quite how one would 'deal with' an incoming stray bullet.

Yes, I know this could happen anywhere in the world, but the probability changes from place to place and from situation to situation.

Probably much lower today than last week; but who knows.

Ochka and I are looking at this right now concerning a trip for her back there for Spring break.  No decision yet.
A beautiful woman is pleasant to look at, but it is easier to live with a pleasant acting one.

Offline steveboy

  • Commercial Member Restricted
  • ***
  • Posts: 675
  • Country: tg
  • Gender: Female
  • Spouse's Country: No Selection
  • Status: Married > 10 years
  • Trips: Resident
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2014, 12:17:06 PM »
I am travelling to Odessa saturday morning even if there is a civil war going on 8)

Offline JayH

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5685
  • Country: au
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Looking > 5 years
  • Trips: > 10
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2014, 11:12:25 PM »
I don't know quite how one would 'deal with' an incoming stray bullet.

Yes, I know this could happen anywhere in the world, but the probability changes from place to place and from situation to situation.

Probably much lower today than last week; but who knows.

Ochka and I are looking at this right now concerning a trip for her back there for Spring break.  No decision yet.
Do not ever want to make light of the tragedy that took place-- and I would not have advocated being to close to Maidan last week--but as quickly as events escalated they have also moved on.Outside of Kiev the demonstrations were relatively localised-- and that was  at the height of the protest. Would I go today-- absolutely.The next day or so will see more stability returned-- and situation will improve overall quickly. :)
SLAVA UKRAYINI  ! HEROYAM SLAVA!!!!
Слава Украине! Слава героям слава!Слава Україні! Слава героям!
 translated as: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!!!  is a Ukrainian greeting slogan being used now all over Ukraine to signify support for a free independent Ukraine

Offline XMan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 636
  • Country: us
  • Gender: Male
  • Spouse's Country: Ukraine
  • Status: Looking > 5 years
  • Trips: > 10
Re: Ukraine Travel Warning
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2014, 06:04:04 AM »
Of course you could go and be fine.  You can have unprotected sex and survive as well.  Doesn't mean I would recommend it. 

I've been to Ukraine more than a dozen times.  I would wait.  Even my friends in various cities are saying the same thing and sending me videos about the destruction and people killed.  I would not make light of the situation.  You're always perfectly fine until something goes terribly awry.

Things may improve quickly.  Or Putin may decide to try to restore his pal to power.  Or something else could happen.  How many people foresaw the peaceful protests of a relatively small group of students get hammered by riot police and then have it escalate to tens of thousands and the resulting destruction and chaos?  I think it's a little naive to just believe everything will be fine given that hundreds have been injured and dozens killed.

Warning as of this morning:

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine during the transition period following the departure of the President from Kyiv on February 22 and while a new government is formed. U.S. citizens in Ukraine, and those considering travel to Ukraine, should evaluate their personal security situation in light of political instability and the possibility of violence, particularly in Kyiv and areas of easTHere tern and southern Ukraine.  This replaces the Travel Warning for Ukraine dated February 20, 2014.  On February 20, 2014, the Department of State authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from Ukraine. 

As always, do whatever you wish.  But being informed and taking a few precautions is wise in many situations.

 

+-RWD Stats

Members
Total Members: 8888
Latest: UA2006
New This Month: 0
New This Week: 0
New Today: 0
Stats
Total Posts: 546298
Total Topics: 20978
Most Online Today: 1657
Most Online Ever: 194418
(June 04, 2025, 03:26:40 PM)
Users Online
Members: 6
Guests: 1301
Total: 1307

+-Recent Posts

Re: The Struggle For Ukraine by Trenchcoat
Today at 04:14:01 PM

Re: The Struggle For Ukraine by Trenchcoat
Today at 04:08:59 PM

Re: The Struggle For Ukraine by 2tallbill
Today at 10:11:12 AM

The Struggle For Ukraine by 2tallbill
Today at 09:42:38 AM

Re: The Struggle For Ukraine by krimster2
Today at 09:40:59 AM

The Struggle For Ukraine by 2tallbill
Today at 09:32:55 AM

Re: Christian Orthodox Family by krimster2
Today at 08:03:25 AM

Re: If you like it, why don't you move there? by krimster2
Today at 07:46:11 AM

Re: Christian Orthodox Family by Shadow
Today at 07:36:51 AM

Re: If you like it, why don't you move there? by Shadow
Today at 07:27:33 AM

Powered by EzPortal