Ukraine Travel Risk

Do not travel to Ukraine for any reason due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

U.S. embassy operations

• The Embassy is open and operating in Kyiv; however, Embassy personnel are subject to movement, curfew, and activity restrictions, which may cause delays in provision of consular assistance to U.S. citizens outside of Kyiv.
• U.S. citizens seeking assistance, including routine services, should email KyivACS@state.gov.
• Review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel outside of Kyiv due to safety risks.
• Due to safety risks, the State Department does not authorize family members to join U.S. government employees in Ukraine.
• U.S. citizens in Ukraine are advised to take the same precautions.

Armed conflict

The Russia-Ukraine war continues, and non-frontline regions are also subject to Russian indiscriminate missile and drone attacks.

• The security situation can change quickly, and travelers should be prepared to depart immediately with little to no warning.
• Travelers should react to air alerts and seek appropriate shelter.
• Closed airspace restricts travel options, and non-frontline regions are subject to martial law restrictions, such as a nationwide curfew.
• U.S. government employees are subject to movement, curfew, and activity restrictions that may be more limited than Ukrainian government restrictions under martial law.
• 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.
• U.S. citizens in Ukraine should stay vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness in the event of military attacks.
• Download and turn on notifications for free mobile applications – which U.S. government personnel in Ukraine are required to have and monitor – that announce air alerts in real time, such as Air Raid Siren and Alarm Map.
• The U.S. Embassy does not have the ability to provide real-time alerts to the general U.S. citizen community of air threats.
• Always know the location of your closest shelter.
• In the event of mortar, artillery, 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.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Crimea

FCDO advises against all travel to Crimea.

Border with Belarus

FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with Belarus in the following regions:

• Volyn
• Rivne
• Zhytomyr

This is due to the ongoing presence of Russian and Belarusian military and security personnel on the Belarusian side of the border.

All other regions of Ukraine

FCDO advises against all travel to all other regions of Ukraine (with the exception of some Western regions; see below).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the following regions in western Ukraine:

All parts:

• Zakarpattia
• Ivano-Frankivsk
• Ternopil
• Chernivtsi
• Lviv

Parts further than 50km from the border with Belarus:

(see Border with Belarus above)

• Volyn
• Rivne
• Zhytomyr

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia continues to invade Ukraine. Russian missile and drone attacks take place frequently across the country. Attacks have killed and injured civilians and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential, energy, industrial, rail and other related facilities. Russian military activity has intensified over the past year. Civilian casualties between January and August 2026 exceeded the total recorded in 2025.

There is an ongoing risk of harm to British nationals from Russian attacks across Ukraine, including from missiles and drones that hit unintended targets or from falling debris. While these are more frequent where FCDO advises against all travel, they can and do also happen in the western regions, where FCDO advises against all but essential travel.

British nationals should exercise heightened awareness and be prepared to take shelter immediately when an air alert is announced. Be extra vigilant whilst travelling in urban centres.

Russian missile and drone attacks have struck government and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, including public buildings, energy facilities, transport hubs, other critical infrastructure, residential areas and defence industrial sites. Conferences and events attended by the Ukrainian government and military are more likely to be targeted.

Follow the advice of local authorities, including responding to air raid alerts and train evacuation instructions. Be prepared to seek shelter immediately and remain there for extended periods.

Russian attacks on the energy network may result in unscheduled blackouts or emergency power cuts with little notice. Rolling scheduled blackouts may be required in some areas. Electricity outages may also affect district heating and water supplies. Be aware that temperatures may drop below -20°C during winter.

Ukraine’s airspace remains closed.

The situation in Ukraine can change quickly. Local rules and measures may change at short notice or without notification. FCDO cannot confirm that all information on this page reflects the latest situation in Ukraine.

Support from the UK government

We continue to advise British nationals in regions where FCDO advises against all travel, to leave these areas, if they judge it safe to do so.

The British Embassy in Kyiv is unable to help you in person. FCDO cannot facilitate your departure from Ukraine or your evacuation.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Ukraine

Terrorist attacks in Ukraine cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

A state of emergency, put in place by the Government of Ukraine in February 2022, remains in effect, and martial law is in force throughout Ukraine.

Unexploded weapons

There is a hazard from unexploded weapons throughout Ukraine, but particularly in the South and East of the country along the current conflict frontlines, and in areas where ground fighting occurred (particularly since 2022). Drone and missile strikes occur frequently across Ukraine and can deposit unexploded weapons in public areas. This includes cluster munitions, which scatter round the landing site and can cause delayed explosions. Flooding in the Kherson Oblast, following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, spread unexploded weapons across the region.

If you come across an unexploded weapon, such as a landmine, do not approach it or touch it. Make a note of where you saw it and notify the authorities on 101. Beware of more unexploded weapons nearby.

This section has safety advice for regions of Ukraine. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Crimea and eastern Ukraine

FCDO advises against all travel to all regions in eastern Ukraine, including any Ukrainian territories which are temporarily under Russian control. FCDO is not able to provide in-person assistance to anyone in these regions.

Border with Belarus

FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with Belarus in the regions of:

• Volyn
• Rivne
• Zhytomyr

This is due to the ongoing presence of Russian and Belarusian military and security personnel on the Belarusian side of the border.

All other regions of Ukraine

FCDO advises against all travel to all other regions of Ukraine except for specific regions of western Ukraine (see below). This includes any areas temporarily under Russian control such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Western regions

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the regions of:

• Zakarpattia
• Ivano-Frankivsk
• Ternopil
• Chernivtsi
• Lviv
• Volyn
• Rivne
• Zhytomyr

In the event of attacks, follow the advice of the local authorities, including responding to air raid sirens.

To enter or exit Crimea

In theory foreign nationals need to provide their passport and a special permit issued by the territorial body of the State Migration Service of Ukraine. However, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, it is not currently possible for foreign nationals to enter or exit Crimea.

The Crimean sea ports of Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yalta and Yevpatoria have been designated by the Ukrainian authorities as closed to international shipping.

Risk level

UKRAINE - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to Ukraine due to the Russian military invasion. Your safety is at high risk, particularly if you engage in active combat.

Russia launches missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian civilian and government infrastructure. These include attacks on city centres and populated areas, including Kyiv. The ongoing Russian invasion poses a significant security risk, even if you are not near the front lines.

If you are in Ukraine, you should consider leaving the country if you can do so safely.

Our ability to provide consular services in Ukraine is severely limited.

Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian military invasion

On February 24, 2022, Russia began a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, launching attacks across the country, including in major cities. In addition to military targets, Russia has and continues to attack Ukrainian civilian and government infrastructure in multiple cities, including Kyiv.

Heavy fighting is ongoing in several areas of the country. Bombardments, explosions and missile launches occur daily. The invasion has directly caused thousands of civilian casualties. There are basic supply shortages and essential services disruptions in areas close to the front lines. Strikes and bombardments could also pose a threat to Ukraine’s nuclear energy infrastructure, notably the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Ukrainian airspace is currently closed. The government of Ukraine has declared a state of emergency and imposed martial law, which gives local authorities broad powers to enforce security measures including:

• curfews
• security checks
• exit bans
• mandatory evacuation
• prohibition of assembly
• mandatory mobilization

乌克兰风险等级为红色（极高风险）。

外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往乌克兰，已在当地的人员和机构尽快自行撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。