No, you must not go, it is too risky!

Now we are 18 participants. Many more applied for the tour, but later cancelled or just did not pay. Most of the reasons given was that a spouse or children said NO, you must not go, it is too risky!

I can understand that attitude. On TV news they show sudden events, and those sudden events are almost always terrible events.

They do not report on everyday life. BUT Ukraine is the largest country in Europe (besides Russian Empire) and in most places life goes on as usual. People go to work, stroll the streets, go to church, much like we do at home. There IS a risk of getting a Russian projectile on the head, but that risk is microscopic. Rather similar to having a car accident.

Lviv, full of people on a sunny Sunday

Perspectives on the risks of traveling to Ukraine

You should definitely travel to Ukraine, provided that you are interested, committed to the country's fight for freedom and everything we in Europe take for granted. It is actually fun to go there. Sounds strange of course, but being met with a warm welcome everywhere is a great experience.

Visiting Ukraine now is in itself a way of showing solidarity. I quote Iryna Zhluktenko at the volunteer organization Dzygas Paw in Lviv:

"Thank you for your money, thank you for your arms, but most of all thank you for coming here to show your solidarity"

As for security, the risks are probably lower in the western part, but in my opinion it is OK to travel anywhere, as long as you stay a considerable distance from the front.

These are the facts

During 2025 Russian attacks killed 2248 Ukrainian civilians (Ukraine News). The same year 3249 people died in traffic accidents in Ukraine (the Guardian). This does not mean that I want to neglect the risk of Russian activity.

I have myself arranged tours seven times with groups of up to 20 people since May 2022. We have never seen or heard any shelling and no one has said they were afraid at any time. (Yes I do put that question). Those trips have also gone to the eastern parts, although far from the front of course. Several of my fellow travelers have been on more than one trip.

About 40 million Ukrainians have survived the war for four years of Russian terror.

Drawn by Veronika Holomat, 9 years

On 21st of April we depart from Nynaeshamn in Sweden. Next day we are joined by five people from USA, Great Britain, France, Portugal and Australia. We meet in Warsaw. Seven of the participants have been on previous tours (excl me and my wife).

On 23.4 we will meet the tourleader Ira Prokopushin in Lviv. Then a night train to Chernihiv wher we also visit deoccupied villages and stay in private homes overnight. Later on to Kyiv. Via Warsaw and back in Sweden on 2.5.

I will try to keep this blog up during the tour. You are welcome to follow us!