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Ukraine Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Ukraine. We've got 38 adventures going to Ukraine, starting from just one day in length, and the longest tour is 12 days. The most popular month to go is May, which has the largest number of tour departures.

38 Ukraine tour packages with 10 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Ukraine Untouched

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• Sightseeing

Best of Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa

This tour to Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa is absolutely fantastic! A great way to see the highlights of Ukraine in one week. Everything was immaculately organized by Evgenia from Ornament Ukraine Travel Company, who was fantastic. She was quick to reply, very helpful and kept checking in on us throughout our trip. The pick ups, drop offs, tours, hotels and transportation were all seamless, and really enabled us to enjoy our trip. The city tours were informative and well organized, and the local guides were very friendly. We had a great time in Ukraine - definitely recommend everyone to visit!

Ethno-Tour to the Carpathian Mountains

Everything was maticulously organized by Ornamental Tours. Olena was in constant contact with us. When borders closed, Olena offered to help us. She cancelled the train fare and was able to get half of our fare reembursed. She booked taxis for us when we had to change our plans because of corona virus. Her company also paid for our last taxi to make it easier for us to return to Canada. Our tour to the Carpathian Mountains was excellent. Our guide was excellent. He personalized our tour to not duplicate and added places of interest if he thought we would be interested. He made sure we had supplies for our supper food needs He helped us purchase SIM cards to enable us to phone our airline when we needed to get back to Canada by translating in Ukrainian/ English for us. We would recommend TourRadar - Ornamental Tours with full ratings of 10/10

Fantastic Western Ukraine Tour 20/21 - Small Group

I had a great tour of Ukraine. Alexandr was quite helpful and he even helped me to purchase and take home a bandura. Everything was quite organized. There was a local guide to show you around in every city. I highly recommend JC Travel be used if you are considering traveling to Ukraine. Safety was not an issue in any city. The food was quite similar to other European cities.

Ukraine Unbreakable. Lviv-Kyiv

A GREAT CARPATHIANS TOUR

Looking for tours beyond just ukraine.

Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including Ukraine.

Week in Historical City

Olena and Julia were awesome in Kiev lots of information on the tour's. Olena was always in touch even on Sunday's . And helped navigate the train system. Diane in Lviv was awesome helped me find the hidden hotel. And showed me some really cool places and helped get back to train on time and in the right place. I 100 percent recommend them. For any tours they offer and definitely will use them again on furture trips to the Ukraine.

Highlights of Ukraine Trip - 7 Days

• River Cruise

Kiev to the Black Sea Odessa to Kiev

Kiev to the Black Sea Kiev to Odessa

Highlights of Western Ukraine

Kyiv - Lviv. Two pearls of Ukraine

• Hiking & Trekking

Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa 10 Days Tour

What people love about ukraine tours, travel styles.

• Small Group (1)
• Singles and Solo (5)
• Partially Guided (30)
• In-depth Cultural (21)
• Personalized (18)
• Explorer (12)
• Fully Guided (8)
• Hiking & Trekking (7)
• Spring 2024 (2)
• Summer 2024 (2)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (1)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (1)
• Spring 2025 (1)
• Summer 2025 (1)
• Fall / Autumn 2025 (1)
• Winter 2025 / 2026 (1)
• May 2024 (2)
• June 2024 (1)
• July 2024 (2)
• August 2024 (1)
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• October 2024 (1)
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Big, diverse and largely undiscovered, Ukraine is one of Europe’s last genuine travel frontiers, a nation rich in colourful tradition, warm-hearted people and off-the-map experiences.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

St Sophia's Cathedral

The interior is the most astounding aspect of Kyiv's oldest standing church. Many of the mosaics and frescoes are original, dating back to 1017–31, when…

Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra

Tourists and Orthodox pilgrims alike flock to the Lavra, set on 28 hectares of grassy hills above the Dnipro River in Pechersk. It's easy to see why…

Kamyanets-Podilsky Fortress

Central Ukraine

Built of wood in the 10th to 13th centuries, then redesigned and rebuilt in stone by Italian military engineers in the 16th century, K-P's fortress is a…

Prymorsky Boulevard

Odesa's elegant facade, this tree-lined, clifftop promenade was designed to enchant the passengers of arriving boats with the neoclassical opulence of its…

Between May 1942 and July 1943, Adolf Hitler paid several visits (accounts vary) to his regional military headquarters in a vast bunker 8km north…

Chernivtsi University

The Carpathians

University buildings are often called 'dreaming spires', but Chernivtsi's is more like an acid trip. This fantastic, Unesco-listed red-brick ensemble,…

Lychakivsky Cemetery

Don't leave town until you've seen this amazing 42-hectare cemetery, only a short ride on tram 7 from the centre. This is the Père Lachaise of Eastern…

Palanok Castle

Built atop a 68m-tall volcano, Mukacheve's highlight is this dramatic castle that pops up from the surrounding plain west of town, like something in a…

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Apr 27, 2022 • 2 min read

In an effort to Ukrainian migrants make it safely to their new homes, Lonely Planet and The Points Guy are together launching a campaign to help Miles4Migrants…

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Ukraine and beyond

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Tours to Ukraine

Explore historical cities Kyiv, Odessa and Lviv and scenic lakes, waterfalls and mountains. And of course a trip to Chernobyl's eerie exclusion zone is a must for photographers. Investigate abandoned fairgrounds and supermarkets for a unique and moving experience.

Ways to explore Ukraine

Discover our ukraine tours.

From visiting the historic cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Krakow, to going back in time on a  Chernobyl tour , our hand-picked  local tour leaders  will share first-hand knowledge and unique insights on our  small group tours to Ukraine.  Enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to wander the eerie streets of Pripyat and uncover abandoned houses, crumbling factories and rusting fairgrounds in this mysterious forgotten land. Or, for a more colorful side of Ukraine, join an adventure to Ukraine's Odessa on the coast of the Black Sea where sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and tree-lined boulevards await. Considering a trip to Ukraine but new to Explore? We've answered  some of the most-asked questions   about our small group tours. 

Our most popular Ukraine tours

Discover chernobyl.

Ukraine in Depth

Discover Ukraine and Moldova

Winter Chernobyl - Photography Short break

Ukraine tour highlights

Ukraine is a vast country, but very little is known about it. Its larger cities, such as Lviv and Kyiv, are fabulously ornate and have more than a hint of Parisian elegance and Russian ostentation, while the countryside is as rustic and wild as you might imagine. No visit to Ukraine is complete without a trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the mostly-uninhabited area surrounding Reactor 4, where you can walk among the eerie abandoned city of Pripyat and the slowly encroaching forest.

Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv is a wonderful introduction to a country that feels like one of Europe’s last frontiers. Set on the banks of the Dnieper River, the city is easy to explore by metro yet thanks to the near-impenetrable language – Ukrainian and Russian are both widely spoken – traveling around  still feels fantastically adventurous. Kyiv is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals, with its mix of centuries-old religious architecture, wide boulevards and gilded domes. While exploring, you might like to visit the warren of underground malls to pick up a hot corn on the cob (a local delicacy) or traditional ceramics to take home. In the evening, visiting a traditional restaurant is a great opportunity to sample the  varenyky  dumplings, which come filled with meats and vegetables, or try a sweeter version with cherries. On our  Ukraine In Depth  tour your guide can recommend the best Soviet-style canteens and fast-food places where you can get a dough-encased deep-fried sausage (much better than it sounds!) perhaps with a chaser of  nastoyanka  liqueur, made from honey and herbs.

After the explosion of the Number 4 nuclear reactor in 1986, the area surrounding Chernobyl was evacuated and became an eerie, abandoned place where nature reclaimed the towns and vehicles left behind. In 2011 the area was declared safe to visit, and since tours have commenced leading intrepid travelers into the Exclusion Zone. Our  Discover Chernobyl  tour gives you two days to explore the Exclusion Zone, including the city of Pripyat which affords perhaps some of the most haunting photographs of the disaster. Built three kilometers from the nuclear site, the city was built to house the plant’s workers and families; now it all lies abandoned, including the fairground, hospital, hotel and sports center. During the trip you’ll even get to stay within the Exclusion Zone at a small hotel, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Ukrainian meal.

Strategic Missile Force Museum, Pervomaysk

Join a local guide for a tour of the Strategic Missile Force Museum on our  Ukraine Discovery Trip . Descend into the depths of this decommissioned military base to discover the original control room of the most powerful Cold War Soviet missile, the R-36M2 'Governor' bomb, which was nicknamed 'Satan' by the Americans. Part of a 150-meter subterranean tunnel network, take a seat in the commander’s chair and push the red button that would have once launched fatal missiles from their underground silos located within the museum’s grounds. Today, we are grateful that only alarms and lights are activated from this nerve-center, no weapons. But this is a stark visualisation of the grave power that this former USSR republic once had.  

Solo travel in Ukraine

Traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling alone, as you’ll discover on our small group vacations to Ukraine. Each of our trips is designed to suit solo travelers and on most trips, you’ll find that around half of all guests are traveling solo. Visiting Ukraine as part of a small group means you’ll get to explore with the guidance of an experienced tour leader to illuminate all the fascinating highlights of the country, while enjoying the company of like-minded fellow travelers.

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Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

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The Best Travel Agency in... - JC Travel

• Europe    
• Ukraine    
• Kyiv    
• Kyiv - Things to Do    

It’s a wonderful trip to Kyiv. Fabulous arrangement by JC Travel . Our tour guide Asya & Alex also... read more

Julia and her team organised a 12 day tour for us and we visited Odesa, Kyiv, Chernobyl and Lviv... read more

The Best Travel Agency in Ukraine..Invaluable!!!

So I won a One week trip to Kyiv, Ukraine at Toronto Ukrainian Festival last September 2015..I decided to stay in Ukraine for 3 weeks. My travel partner had to cancel and her portion of trip was not transferable.I was TOTALLY LOST, as my travel partner knew Ukraine very well. It was a last second cancelation by my friend, so I did not know what to do!!! I somehow,! ( We ,Julia Kulik and I) still don't know how, stumbled into JC Travel agency and owner Julia Kulik and her spectacular team of people I started an email relationship with Owner Julia Kulik . I told her about my concerns about traveling alone in Ukraine and other things. Julia reassured me. She treated me as if I had known her for years.Julia is an expert on all things Ukraine. I was so impressed by Julia ,as she spoke perfect and correct English. I assumed she moved to Ukraine and started the business. No, she learned English by herself. I can speak Ukrainian but writing is another thing..So Julia's knowledge of the English language was invaluable to me. Anyway..my first week in Kyiv..Julia hooked me up with one of her" steller team members." Olya ,who speaks excellent English ,took me on a 6 hour walking tour of Kyiv..It was spectacular. I learned so much about Kyiv. BTW Bring good walking shoes and prepare for a lot of climbling uphill. Olya also acted as Interpreter when we went to meet some of my family that I had never met before. The pricing was so reasonable, about $10 U.S. dollars per hour.I saw the highlights of Kyiv that day including site of The Maidan revolution . This was very important for me.Olya was very patient as I took hundreds and hundreds of photos.Olya was extremely considerate. Then off to Lviv. I met English speaking Tanya ,another great team member, and went on 6 hour walking tour of Lviv. Tanya's knowledge of world history , Ukraine's history, blew me away. I learned so much that day about Lviv , Ukraine, WWII etcetc... About the Gorgeous architecture of Lviv..Austrian influence and why. Kyiv and Lviv are SO different. Then there was Roman. Oh what a very special person ,as well as driver and guide. Roman doesn't speak Fluent English, so it gave me a chance to see how well I still spoke Ukrainian. To say that Roman went out of his way to make my trip extremely memorable, is an major understatement.I could go on for days on what a great person, guide and driver Roman is... I wanted to go to Klevan in Rivne Oblast (region) to see "The Tunnel of Love. " It Was a 3 hour drive one way..thru the villages and well worth it.$150.00. I highly recommend it. Then Roman suggested we go to some magnificent castles on The way back...this was not part of the trip i paid for but that is just Roman!!! My mind was blown at the beauty of the countryside . It looked like Tuscany from what I have seen in movies. A few days later, when leaving Lviv, Roman was my Driver to The Carpathian Mountains. The Gorgeous Karpaty. We stayed there 2 days /2 nights and I could have stayed forever. I paid $200 for Roman's(which included his meals) services plus I had to pay for his room. We stayed at Karpatsky Zori...a resort type hotel. (Went to Yaremche and ski town of Bukovel.) I requested the knotty pines rooms with balconies..OMG I love the smell of the rooms and the beauty.,This was just $50 a night per room.We were supposed to go on jeep tour the next day but it rained so Roman made it up to me with a hiking trip to amazing Watefalls and his own version of jeep tour with his van. LOL . Roman and I really got to know each other.He was a perfect gentleman. We talked the whole time in Ukrainian. We really got along, which was so important when you spend that much time with a person. Very easy going. It was like Roman had my eyes.,Everytime I was thinking of asking him to stop for photo shot...he already knew!!! I cannot describe the beauty if Carpathians, it Must. be seen.I took thousands of photos. I ran out of room on my SD card and Roman made sure we found a store to buy more , on more than one occasion!!! The trip from Lviv is 3 hours to Karpaty. On our way back to Lviv, Roman suggested That we stop in town of Kolomei and visit Pysanky museum. We also went to Hutsul Museum. Amazing!! What a lovely town!!! This was not really part of package but again Roman wanted me to get the most out of my trip. If that wasn't enough , when we got back to Lviv, Roman insisted on taking me to the famous Lychakiv Cemetery where Ivan Franko and other notables are buried. I was supposed to meet a new friend for dinner but Roman insisted we go to Cemetary and advise my friend that i was running late. Also at Lychakiw, there were many many young men buried that died in Maidan . Roman knew this was important for me to see. So all in all, JC Agency.,,Enjoy Ukraine ..I Very Very Highly Recommend, Very professional staff, very hard working, worked with you, cared for you. Their aim is to please!!!! Reasonable prices. Wear excellent walking shoes, be prepared to climb lots of Hills if you go to Kyiv or Lviv. Take a Great Camera. Besides The Churches, Cathedrals, the architecture , monuments and Nature in Ukraine is Magnificent. This entire trip was Euphoric, I was smiling ear to ear. I felt high!!! It changed my life. Best experience of my entire life. I needed this more than I can put into words. And Julia Kulik of JC Travel was directly responsible for the life changing adventures I had and the super wonderful people I met...(and keeping in touch with. ) PS..My travel partner canceling was a Major blessing in disguise. ..Otherwise, I would NOT have had the life changing adventures/experiences/and met all these people i dI'd from all over!!. It took me out of my Comfort zone. I would go alone again!!! In fact, I would prefer it. I absolutely /need/ have to go back...A trip to Ukraine changes you, if you are of Ukrainian descentor otherwise. Ukraine is now in my heart. My head is still there almost 2 months later. I will use JC Travel again and have already recommend them!!!!!

Dear Natalka, Wow, thanks a lot for such wonderful words, for sharing your experience, for your impressioins! We are extremely happy to hear that we made your trip unforgettable and pleasant! It was such a pleasure for us to take care of you! Will be glad to see you in Ukraine again in the nearest future! Always welcome! Take a good care of yourself! All the best!

The staff of JC Travel are great at what they do! Was able to help me with some travel snags I had encountered and then go on and do a tour of LVIV that I had set up through them. Tania was like a walking history book of the story of what is now Lviv. They are more than willing to set up a tour for you from pick up to drop of if that is what you need. Or just a tour of any area if you have travelled there before and feel comfortable making your own travel and lodging arrangements. I highly recommend going and taking a tour of this lovely country!!!

Dear Ken, Very thankful for your review! It was a pleasure to provide you the services! Hope you will come back to Ukraine to explore more of the country! Cheers!

Julia at JC Travel provides a very professional and re-assuring service. She took the visa application process confusion out of the equation, and her turnaround time in providing the very critical invitation letter and the travel voucher was terrific. I was also thoroughly impressed by her responsiveness. I am certainly one very satisfied customer, and will highly recommend JC Travel.

Thank you very much Bilal for your words and review! Have a nice trip and Enjoy Ukraine! :)

Very professional and itinerary was executed smoothly. JC Travel was very attentive to our comfort. The guides that were chosen for us were all very knowledgable and they were flexible if our group wanted to add sites to the itinerary. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I would recommend them.

Dear Margaret, First of all, thank you very much for finding time in order to share your experience with us for public. Appreciate it a lot. Thank you for your opinion and review! Always glad to see you again!!

With the help from JC-Travel company i could say that everything went the right way when i applied for the visa. The service were fast and the team is so much friendly. I was in Ukraine before few days and i could recommend everyone, who wants to make a trip, to travel there. Simply i wanna say Thanks so Much JC-Travel.

Our pleasure!! Always glad to help! Appreciate your review and opinion! Welcome to Ukraine ! ;)

I just returned from a 42 day trip to the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldovia with J-C Travel. The trip was absolutely fantastic. The Company offers various options so I took the one with car and driver. I put together my own itinerary and used Lonely Planet for the Ukraine and Moldovia and Bradt travel guide for Belarus. Both were adequate but a little more information would have been nice. For me to consider a trip a complete success it must meet certain requirements. First, the driver must know where every city and site is located. Time is precious when traveling (even if its 42 days) and I don't want to waste time getting lost. Well, my driver Alex never got lost and thanks to his vehicle GPS and his smart phone he found every site I wanted to see in a particular city. When I say a particular site I don't mean just the main Cathedral or historic house but places off the typical tourist path such as a memorial to those who died in the "Great Patriotic War" or a memorial dedicated to the unbelievable number of jews who died during and after that war. Some of these sites were not obvious but Alex found them whether they were located on a private farm or behind a gas station. He was wonderful. I have taken many tours with Car and driver and never have I been with such a driver who was so concern about me seeing every sight I requested in my itinerary. You need to understand that in some cities I had listed anywhere from 25-30 sites to see and he found them all. The second factor I consider important in determining a trip's success is the reliability of the verhicle. We drove close to 9,0000 kms and not once was there any problems with the vehicle. Moreover, Alex was a very good and safe driver. Thus I never once felt uncomfortable about his driving ability. Finally, as an American--you know we have to be pampered--I requested clean rooms and bathrooms throughout the trip. I told Julia--the owner--that I would leave it up to her to find me good 3 or 4 star hotels. I can only say that every night --with no exceptions--I stayed in wonderful hotels. While some of the rooms were a little small, the beds were comfortable and all the rooms had good lighting. Also the bathrooms to my surprise were absolutely clean, bright, with showers that had strong hot water. Likewise, the breakfast in the vast majority of hotels was included in the price and were excellent. As stated earlier I opted for the tour with car and driver and I have no regrets. However, I was curious concerning the other option offered which included a local guide in each city. So one day I took a guide offered by J-C Travel. Since I only did this one time please understand that this is not a very scientific method of evaluating local guides in all three countries. But during this one time I found the young lady spoke excellent english, was very informative, and polite. She added some interesting points that were not mentioned in my guide books but on the whole I felt I did the right thing not getting a local guide. However, if you feel that you would enjoy such a guide by all means do it. I don't believe you will regret it--although it will add to the price of the trip. After 42 days I believe I have a pretty good idea about this region of the world and also about J-C Travel. This is a young company that I believe first and foremost wants you to understand and appreciate the history, culture and food of this region. Second, they want you to have a very enjoyable experience in their country and in this area of the world. And only lastly did I get the impression they were interested in making money in the porcess. I truly believe you would be making a big mistake not to consider this company if you wish to see this interesting region of the world. Save yourself the time, energy and money and go with J-C Travel. You won't regret it.

Dear Ken, Thank you very much for your review, for sharing your experience with us, for sharing your impressions and knowledge here. Your tour was one of the very memorable and actually the longest for us too :) We are glad we achieved the goal and you are full of amazing memories, photos and stories! :) Take care!

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Company Overview

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JC Travel Ukraine

• Founded year 2008
• Gary Coventry
• From Australia
• On 19 Jun 2019

JC Travel is your local Ukrainian incoming tour operator and a travel expert, who offers unforgettable handcrafted tours by minivans with European standards of customer service. Our company’s concern is to give you, our dear travellers, a customized approach in small group tours by minivans, from 4 to 10 people, all with guaranteed departures or on a private basis. We focus on comfort, provide flexibility before arrival, during the tour and at all times. Our team is passionate about own country and know it back to front. JC Travel’s missions is to give travellers an opportunity to discover and enjoy authentic Ukraine - an unexploited and emerging destination with exhilarating history, vibrant and hospitable culture, rich cuisine, diverse architecture and untouched natural reserves. We want you to feel like a local among Ukrainians! Let’s enjoy Ukraine together!

Why book with Us

We show Ukraine from a local perspective! The best-fine-tuned tours for you by minivans around Ukraine and beyond. Our concern is to give you a customized approach in small group tours and private tours. Hand-picked 3-4* centrally located hotels. Focus on your comfort and safety. Knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking staff. Real-time answers in English to your questions and concerns. Flexibility, before arrival, during your trip and at all times. Focus on a private and small group, from 4 to 10 people, all with guaranteed departures. Enjoy Ukraine with JC Travel!

Tours and Holidays by JC Travel Ukraine

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Ukraine Tourism And Travel Guide

Ukraine is an East European country that is often confused with Russia . But it is a different entity in itself, even though it had been under the Russian rule until 1991. The country is a mix of delights, from beaches to ancient cities, mountains to steppes. Tourism in Ukraine is at its best through summer, while it is also quite good, if a little too chilly during winter. If you have already made up your mind to tread to Ukraine for this vacation, here’s a travel guide to help you.

How to Reach

The best and easiest way to reach Ukraine from India is by flight. Trains are good from European countries.

Kiev’s Borispol International Airport and Lviv's and Odessa’s international airports make for Ukraine’s most important ones. From India, you have connecting flights flying from Mumbai and Delhi regularly. You can also take a stopover at cities like Berlin or Istanbul before going forward.

You can reach Ukraine from anywhere in Europe , only, from Western Europe, the trains are changed at Berlin. Direct trains ply to Kiev or Lviv from cities like Budapest, Warsaw, Moscow and Berlin.

Since Ukraine is majorly a landlocked country, you can drive into the borders from Poland , Russia , Hungary , Belarus and Slovakia. Buses and coaches also ply and are cheaper. 

The Black Sea ensures some water routes to reach the port cities of Ukraine. Mediterranean cruises also ply to Ukraine from Greece , Turkey etc.

Getting Around:

For getting around in big cities like Lviv, Odessa and Kiev, you have local buses, metro trains and taxis. In smaller villages and towns you can hire cars to get around or rent a bicycle too.

• How To Reach Ukraine

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Ukraine experiences a continental type of climate and the best time to visit is definitely the summer.

Spring (March to May):

Spring brings flash floods to Ukraine as the snow melts and swells streams and lakes in March. But come May and everything resumes perfection, with longer sunny days and temperature hovering between 15-21°C.

Summer (June to August):

Ukrainian summers are hot and by July the highs may touch 30°C. This is the best season to go hiking, enjoy city tours, revel on beaches and partake in the harvest celebrations done by the local agrarian communities. 

Autumn (September to November):

September blows more heat into Ukraine but its is gone by October. Rains are common during autumn season as temperatures keep dropping with the passage of time. 

Winter (December to February):

Ukraine experiences very cold winters and on some days in December-January the temperature may drop to almost -30°C. Snowfall is thick and continuous, covering the land in sheets of white. This time is good for winter sports and skiing.

• Ukraine Weather And Best Time To Visit Ukraine

Things to Do

Go Trolley-Riding in Kiev:

The capital city of Ukraine is renowned for many things, but the most thrilling of them all is the trolley ride across River Dnieper. You will be thrilled to go across from one bank to the other in less than 40 seconds. On reaching the Trukhaniv Island, you can enjoy the beaches. 

Chill in Odessa:

Odessa boasts of some great beaches by the Black Sea, peppy parties, pubs, restaurants and awesome night life. The International Film Festival is also hosted by this city every summer and the glitz and glamour of Europe descend here to walk the longest red carpet in the world.

Stroll down the Cobbled Streets of Lviv:

Lviv is as much new as it is old. The city has centuries of heritage and rich culture in its art and architecture; all of which is influenced by Western thought. Visit the Lviv Opera House, take strolls through the Rynok Square and walk down the narrow streets that are teeming with coffeehouses.

Climb the Carpathians:

Mount Carpathian is a crown of pride for Ukraine. The paradox of lush meadows and rugged hillscapes make these ranges a coveted tourist attraction for hiking, bike riding, mountain climbing and fishing. You can also stop by in the smaller villages to savour some Ukrainian hospitality.

Visit Chernobyl:

No one’s ignorant of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, but what most people don’t see is how the mishap wrecked havoc in the lives of the villages nearby. Visit the ghost town of Pripyat where the homes are frozen in time, toys scattered, utensils ready to brew soups abandoned as the inhabitants were rushed out half dead after the leak. Only, visit under expert guidance or tour operators as some areas are still highly radioactive.

• Things To Do In Ukraine
• Tourist Places To Visit In Ukraine

What to Eat

The Ukrainian cuisine is influenced and inspired by its neighbours. So while the potatoes and meat dishes come from Russia , the stuffed cabbage rolls are a throwback to Turkey . The strudels are Austrian and pastries are Slovakian. When in Ukraine, do enjoy these lovely delicacies - borscht (beat, meat and veggie soup), Potato Varenyky (dumplings), Holubtsi (rice and meat stuffed cabbage rolls), Nachynka or cornbread and the famous Kotlety Po-Kyivskomy, better known as Chicken Kiev.

What to Shop

Ukraine is a paradise for those who like to pick up souvenirs and local wares, those who are fond of filling their trunks with trinkets from where they holidayed. So here’s the thing about shopping in this country - you enjoy it. You pick up the beautifully painted Eater Eggs made of wood called Pysanky, you take back Babushka toys for kids back home and also pack some rag dolls. Other things to buy from here are Crimean tatar ceramics, folk music CDs and the wood and bead jewellery that is patent to this region. Also, don’t forget chocolate bars from Lviv, the delicately made embroidered folk linen blouses and shirts and the $2 Vodka bottles.

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Ukraine Tours & Vacations

Our thoughts and hearts are with the people in Ukraine, including our own team members, tour leaders and their families, who have been deeply impacted by this senseless war and invasion of Ukraine.

Intrepid is not currently operating any tours that visit Ukraine, Russia or Belarus and tours in these countries have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Intrepid condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Russian government’s aggression towards Ukraine and its people.

Any future decisions to resume operations in Russia will be based not only on the safety of our travelers and the communities we visit, but the stability of Europe and a clear path to peace for all innocent and oppressed people who have fallen victim to this violence.

The Intrepid Foundation has launched an emergency appeal in partnership with Australian Red Cross to provide support (food, water, shelter & medicine) within Ukraine and assistance for displaced people in surrounding counties. We ask that you please consider giving at  The Intrepid Foundation Ukraine Crisis Appeal

We hope for a peaceful path out of this crisis soon and are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Ukraine travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ukraine?

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in Ukraine?

Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge, so it’s best to check your bill before tipping. While it's not necessary to tip, 10–15% is becoming customary in most restaurants across Ukraine.

What is the internet access like in Ukraine?

Internet cafes are available in cities and towns, and some larger hotels now offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Remote and rural areas will have less internet availability, so be prepared for this when traveling out of the city.

Can I use my mobile phone while in Ukraine?

What are the toilets like in ukraine.

Western-style, flushable toilets are normally available in the larger cities. In rural areas, simple squat toilets are more common.

What will it cost for a…?

Cup of coffee in a cafe = 20 UAH Beer in a bar or restaurant = 25 UAH Basic takeaway lunch = 80 UAH Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = 120-200 UAH

Can I drink the water in Ukraine?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Ukraine. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Ask your leader or hotel where filtered water can be found and don't forget to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Ukraine?

Major credit cards are accepted by most large shops and hotels. Smaller vendors may not accept credit cards, so carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

What is ATM access like in Ukraine?

ATMs are commonly found in Ukraine's cities and urban areas. Remote regions will have less ATM availability, so prepare accordingly before traveling away from cities.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in Ukraine?

• 1 Jan: New Year’s Day
• 7 Jan: Orthodox Christmas
• 8 Mar: International Women’s Day
• 16 Apr: Orthodox Easter Sunday
• 17 Apr: Orthodox Easter Monday
• 1-2 May: Labor Day
• 9 May: Victory Day
• 28 Jun: Constitution Day
• 24 Aug: Independence Day

For a current list of public holidays in Ukraine go to:  https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/Ukraine/public-holidays/

Is Ukraine a safe destination for LGBTQI-travelers?

Discretion is advised for LGBTQI-travelers in Ukraine. While a small gay community exists in Kiev, homophobia is quite widespread. Couples are advised to avoid public displays of affection.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Ukraine Travel Advisory

Travel advisory may 22, 2023, ukraine - level 4: do not travel.

Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

All U.S. citizens should carefully monitor U.S. government notices and local and international media outlets for information about changing security conditions and alerts to shelter in place. Those choosing to remain in Ukraine should exercise caution due to the potential for military attacks, crime, civil unrest, and consult the Department’s latest security alerts.

The security situation in Ukraine remains unpredictable. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should stay vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. In the event of mortar, missile, drone, or rocket fire, follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. If you feel your current location is no longer safe, you should carefully assess the potential risks involved in moving to a different location.

There are continued reports of Russian forces and their proxies singling out U.S. citizens in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine for detention, interrogation, or harassment because of their nationality. U.S. citizens have also been singled out when evacuating by land through Russia-occupied territory or to Russia or Belarus.

U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance should email [email protected] for assistance. Please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas . U.S. citizens may also seek consular services, including requests for repatriation loans, passports, and visa services, at U.S. embassies and consulates in neighboring countries .

On February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency. Each province (oblast) decides on measures to be implemented according to local conditions. Measures could include curfews, restrictions on the freedom of movement, ID verification, and increased security inspections, among other measures. Follow any oblast-specific state of emergency measures.

Many in the international community, including the United States and Ukraine, do not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea in 2014, nor the September 2022 purported annexation of four other Ukrainian oblasts -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. There are also abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s occupation.

Although Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine severely restricts the Embassy’s access and ability to provide services in these areas, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continue to remotely provide certain emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – to the extent possible given security conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over Ukraine. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the FAA’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ukraine.

Travel to High-Risk Areas

If you choose to disregard the Travel Advisory and travel to Ukraine, you should consider taking the following steps:

• Visit our website on Travel to High-Risk areas .
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.
• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify who you would contact first and how they should share the information.
• Enroll your trip in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

If you are currently in Ukraine:

• Read the Department’s country information page on Ukraine.
• Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Notices related to your travel.
• Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel.
• Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Ukraine.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

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These Travel Companies Are Helping to House and Transport Ukraine Refugees

Travel companies including marriott bonvoy, airbnb, holland america, and uber continue to find ways to help those fleeing ukraine..

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Holland America Line’s “Volendam” is housing Ukrainians in the Netherlands.

Photo by Shutterstock

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the refugee crisis associated with it, have tugged at the heartstrings of people across the world, whether they’ve visited the eastern European country or not. According to the United Nations , as of April 28, more than 5.4 million people have fled Ukraine.

We’re now more than two months into a war with no end in sight—and those refugees still need a helping hand. From the beginning, many travel companies have been supporting those who have been displaced in the best way they know how: by providing a place to stay or a ride out of harm’s way.

Here are just a handful of the many travel-related companies that continue to provide aid to those escaping the violence — along with some ways you can help, too.

Marriott Bonvoy

The hotel group is encouraging loyalty program members to donate their points to offer aid to people in Ukraine and its neighboring countries. The two organizations Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with thus far are World Central Kitchen (providing meals and supplies) and UNICEF (getting the children of Ukraine access to safe water, nutrition, health care, education, and more). Every 2,500 points are equal to $10 cash to the organizations. The brand will match donations point-for-point for up to 100 million points.

“To date, over 46 million Marriott Bonvoy points have been donated,” the brand said in a press release on April 7, adding, “We are undertaking relief efforts of our own, including many of our hotels providing accommodations and supplies to refugees fleeing their homes. Our hotels and associates have raised over $1.7 million in cash and in-kind donations. More than 80 of our hotels in neighboring countries have signed up to provide free hotel stays for refugees through Hospitality Helps , donating over 11,000 free room nights to date.”

Airbnb’s nonprofit arm, Airbnb.org , is helping provide free temporary housing for as many as 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. To do so, it has partnered with International Organizations for Migration , HIAS , Nova Ukraine , Save the Children Sweden , and the government of Germany to pair those in need with places to stay.

As of April 20, more than 11,000 displaced people had received accommodations in Europe.

“While Airbnb.org collaborates with organizations that are supporting all refugees, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, or how they identify, these nonprofits which with Airbnb.org is now working are specifically dedicated to assisting people from marginalized communities who are fleeing Ukraine, including African students, people with rare diseases and their families, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+,” Airbnb.org said in its latest press release.

Anyone interested in supporting Airbnb.org’s initiative can donate directly on the site or sign up to offer free or discounted stays on Airbnb.org/help-Ukraine . As of April 20, more than 28,600 people worldwide had signed up to offer their homes.

Another option that’s been popular with Airbnb users has been to book stays in Ukraine. Even if they have no intention of going, the funds still get into the hands of locals.

Holland America

At the start of the war, the Netherlands committed to accommodating 50,000 people fleeing Ukraine. Some, at least temporarily, will call Holland America Line’s Volendam home. The vessel will dock in Rotterdam and will house and feed 1,500 displaced people for three months.

“We are in a unique position to accommodate the immediate need for food and housing, so we felt it was very important to work with the City of Rotterdam and charter this ship,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, in a statement . “Our company was founded in Rotterdam around the mission of helping immigrants find a better life. So today, we’re proud to be a small part of a similar mission for Ukrainians who have tragically been displaced.”

The ship was supposed to set sail for voyages in Norway, the British Isles, and Iceland on May 15 but canceled sailings until July 3 to accommodate the three-month commitment. The ship will be docked at a cargo port on the River Maas. Those aboard will have use of all facilities.

Holland America Group has also set aside $1 million for an emergency assistance fund for its own Ukrainian employees.

The ride-share company recently launched an in-app donation button to allow riders to make donations to the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian organization that helps those whose lives are touched by major crises to recover and rebuild. The app will match donations of up to $1 million. It also made an additional “$500,000 donation to the International Federation of Red Cross and World Food Program USA in support of the UN World Food Programme’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries,” Uber said in a press release .

Miles4Migrants

While not technically a travel company, this nonprofit organization uses travel benefits to help refugees in need.

Miles4Migrants accepts donated miles from frequent fliers for refugees who need flights to safety. Since its inception in 2016, the company said it has redeemed more than 370 million miles and has helped more than 30,000 people travel. For the war in Ukraine, the company is booking flights for those in temporary housing in border countries to help them reach longer-term homes worldwide.

Those looking to help can donate miles from any airline on the Miles4Migrants website . The organization is also looking for donations of cash and flight vouchers, which will be used to pay for award taxes and fees.

>>Next: Cruise Lines Skip Russia and Head to These Beautiful Ports Instead

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin claims he could work with West - as he gives brief speech for fifth inauguration

Vladimir Putin is officially sworn in as Russian president for a new six-year term, although many Western nations have not attended.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 11:25, UK

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• Putin officially sworn in as Russian president | He claims Russia would work with West
• Ivor Bennett analysis : Translating Putin's inauguration speech - and why it might concern the West
• Many nations boycott ceremony
• Putin has 85% approval rating - here's why
• Big picture : What you need to know as a new week begins
• Your questions answered: Why can't Ukraine destroy key Crimean bridge?
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell  and Ollie Cooper

By Ivor Bennett , Moscow correspondent 

The speech was vintage Putin.

Talking up Russia's greatness, blaming the West for Moscow's isolation and doubling down on his current path.

If there was any hope of him mellowing in this next term of office, President Putin dispelled that right at the beginning, referring to the security of the Russian people as a matter "above all". 

Translation - we're in the confrontation with the West for the long haul.

But whose fault is it? 

Not ours, he said. 

All part of the Kremlin's narrative to portray Russia as the victim.

What might concern Western officials is the tone of the speech, especially the last line: "We will realise everything we have planned, together we will win." 

With things going his way at home and on the battlefield, the Russian president appears increasingly confident, and increasingly defiant.

The inauguration of Vladimir Putin has just wrapped up in Moscow. 

The ceremony involved the 71-year-old being sworn in by placing his hand on a version of the Russian constitution.

He then oversaw a parade of the Presidential Regiment on Cathedral Square.

His presidency was later blessed by the Patriarch Kirill of Moscow - the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Within the last hour, Vladimir Putin has officially been sworn in as Russian president. 

The inauguration was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace, during which Mr Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it.

As the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Stalin, Mr Putin's new term does not expire until 2030, when he will be constitutionally eligible to run again. 

Watch the moment Mr Putin was sworn in for this third consecutive term in office below.

As Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term as Russian president, our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn shares his thoughts... 

"Having rigged yet another election, subverted the Russian constitution, destroyed the free press and either killed or locked up any opposition, Vladimir Putin today used all the trappings of Russian pomp and ceremony to try and cloak himself in a mantle of false legitimacy," he says. 

"Putin has taken a country that was emerging from communism and economic collapse towards reform and reintegration into the international community, and he's turned it in a pariah state threatening global security while he and his kleptocracy have stolen billions," he says. 

Waghorn then moves to the president's actual address. 

"In his inauguration speech, Putin said Russia stands united," he says.

"An estimated 900,000 Russians have voted with their feet and left the country since his invasion of Ukraine."

Vladimir Putin has met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Pictured placing a candle at the altar, the Russian leader made the sign of the cross on his chest before listening to the ceremony.

Patriarch Kirill appeared to read a passage from the Bible in what symbolises the church backing the presidency. 

Vladimir Putin now heads outside, facing troops from the Russian army, who salute and congratulate him on his new term.  

He in turn congratulates the troops of the presidential regiment on the 88th anniversary of its formation, before they begin a walk past in full ceremonial dress. 

Infantry and mounted units all salute the president as they go past. 

Mr Putin watches on silently. 

 An artillery salute has just marked the end of the official presidential inauguration. 

The Russian leader made a short speech at the Grand Kremlin Palace during which he thanked the citizens of Russia and the troops fighting in Ukraine. 

He left the palace as the Russian national anthem played and a round of applause erupted from the chosen dignitaries in the audience.

Our  Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett   says the content of President Putin's speech was to be expected. 

"He talked about Russia's greatness, about how the West is the aggressor and that everything needs to be on equal footing," Bennett says.

The freshly inaugurated president draws his speech to a close: "I will do everything possible, everything within my abilities to justify your trust.

"We are a single and great nation and together we will overcome all obstacles and implement and realise everything that we dream of.

"Together we will win."

He concludes his speech to rapturous applause, a gun salute and rousing music. 

Taking aim at the West, Vladimir Putin says Moscow is not refusing a dialogue with Western countries.

He says Russia is ready to become an "honest" partner with anybody who is willing. 

"We are not even refusing the dialogue with Western countries," he said during his inauguration speech in Moscow.

"We will see if they continue to halt the development of our country and continue to put pressure on our country, or look for ways to cooperate with us."

Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term by thanking the nation for its support, and the army which fights his war in Ukraine.

"I would like to thank the participants of the special military operation, I would like to thank everyone who is fighting for our motherland," he says. 

"The destiny of Russia will be determined by ourselves only."

He continues: "I see the deep understanding of our historic role to defend our choice, to defend our freedom, and to defend the national interests of Russia. 

"We will go through this difficult time and will be successful," he says. 

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Ukraine Is Denying Consular Services to Men Outside the Country

New guidance carries a clear message to men abroad who may be avoiding the draft: You don’t get the benefit of state services if you don’t join the fight.

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By Maria Varenikova

Reported from Kyiv

Ukrainian officials have taken several steps in recent weeks to swell the ranks of an army depleted by more than two years of grueling combat. The government passed a new mobilization bill aimed at increasing troop numbers and has stepped up border patrols to catch draft dodgers.

Now, officials are targeting men who have already left the country. This week the government announced that Ukrainian embassies had suspended issuing new passports and providing other consular services for military-age men living abroad.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 were prohibited from leaving the country after the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, but some were abroad before the rule took effect and others have left illegally since then.

By suspending consular services, the government said, it was responding to demands for fairness in society.

The new rules will remain in place until a new mobilization law takes effect on May 18. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that it was still working out the details about what services would be provided after the broader mobilization law went into effect, but its message was clear: If you are healthy and can fight, come home and join the military.

“How it looks like now: A man of conscription age went abroad, showing his state that he does not care about its survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from this state,” Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said in a statement. “It does not work this way. Our country is at war.”

Critics have said the move could end up sowing divisions between Ukrainians at home and those abroad while not having a real impact on the drive for more soldiers. There are about 860,000 Ukrainian men now living outside the country, in the European Union.

The drive to bring men back to Ukraine is part of a broader effort to enlist new soldiers urgently as Russia seeks to exploit its advantage in arms and numbers across the eastern front. In certain areas, Russians outnumber Ukrainians by more than seven to one, Gen. Yurii Sodol, the commander of forces in the east, told the Ukrainian news media last month.

As American officials pressed lawmakers in Washington to deliver more military aid for Ukraine, they also pressed the government in Kyiv to address problems with its draft.

James O’Brien, the assistant U.S. secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, noted on a visit to Kyiv this week that the country’s mobilization efforts were every bit as critical to stabilizing the front and turning the tide of war as artillery.

“Ukraine needs to make sure it has the people necessary to fight,” he said at a news conference.

The lack of clarity about how the policy would be carried out added to the heated debate inside Ukraine about the measure.

Many soldiers on the front, including tens of thousands who have been fighting with little rest for more than two years, see the rule as a just and fair move.

“This decision is long overdue,” Alina Mykhailova, a military medic and widow of a commander killed in combat, wrote on Facebook, describing it as the restoration of some “small percentage” of justice for Ukrainian servicemen.

“You don’t like it? Give up your citizenship and go to hell,” she wrote, in comments that reflect growing anger among Ukrainian soldiers and military families at men who have avoided fighting.

However, Volodymyr Viatrovych, former head of Ukraine’s National Memory Institute, warned that the move could create resentment from Ukrainians living abroad.

“This decision will bring nothing but damage,” he wrote on Facebook, arguing that it would not force more people to join the army but only “weaken national unity.”

A majority of Ukrainians living abroad, he wrote, will not abandon their jobs, studies, wives and children “to take a one-way trip right now.”

There is particular concern about teenage boys whose parents took them abroad for their safety when the war broke out and who have since turned 18. Under the new law, they may have to return to Ukraine to get their passports, and then they may not be able to leave.

“There has to be some improvement, the creation of some possibility to get registered with the army at the consulate,” Tetyana Senenko, a Ukrainian living in Georgia, said on social media.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would provide further clarification on the procedure for obtaining consular services, to avoid leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men abroad in a state of limbo.

Serhiy Fursa, deputy director of the investment company Dragon Capital in Kyiv, said on Facebook that Ukraine should be more wary of alienating men who could be useful to the economy if not to the military: “Yes, these men are needed in Ukraine. And yes, they chose not to be in Ukraine during the war. Ukraine needs all its citizens. And not all citizens of Ukraine are heroes.”

Maria Varenikova covers Ukraine and its war with Russia. More about Maria Varenikova