Safety and Risk

During the tour, we will constantly keep ourselves updated on the security situation. A hint of increased risk; then we change the itinerary, change hotel or go back home. All hotels have bomb shelters. We will never be close to the front.
 

But, risks are not as big as media reports give the impression of. TV, newspapers reports on sudden events, rarely on "normal life" behind the lines of conflict. The actual risks in many areas of Ukraine are often less dramatic than media coverage might suggest. News reports tend to focus on extreme events, while much of daily life continues relatively normally in areas far from the front. We will be in Ukraine for ten days only.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of EU countries advice against traveling to Ukraine and no travel insurance applies. Instead, you may buy an Ukrainian travel insurance. Insurance to travel to Ukraine for tourists - buy online in 5 minutes | Misto IC. 

One more aspect! Central areas of the big cities are rarely hit by Russian shelling. Probably because they are have the best aerial defense. We use hotels in the city centers and they all have shelters.​

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On Wednesday 9.7 2025, Russia conducted its largest drone assault since the start of its full-scale invasion, launching 728 drones and 13 missiles in strikes that killed at least two persons and injuring 14, according to Ukrainian officials. BUT this also shows the ineffectivness of Russian bombardment and the strength of the Ukrainian aerial defence. AND it also gives an understanding of the minimal probability of yourself being hit. 

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

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Most of the reasons for given for not joining a tour 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. AND 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.

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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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Drawn by Veronika Holomat, 9 years

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