Exercise increased caution in Ukraine due to crime, civil unrest and elections. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• Crimea due to arbitrary detentions and other abuses by Russian occupation authorities.
• The eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, especially the non-government-controlled areas, due to armed conflict and kidnapping.

Crime targeting foreigners and property is common. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv. Politically targeted assassinations and bombings have also occurred. There are reports of violence by extreme nationalist groups.

Presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for March 31, with a possible second round on April 21. The risk of violence is heightened during election periods, and in previous elections, some election-related demonstrations have resulted in violence. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits U.S. civil aviation from flying in the Ukrainian Simferopol (UKFV) and Dnipropetrovsk (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Ukraine:

• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Expect increased police presence.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the 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.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Ukraine.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Crimea – Level 4: Do Not Travel

There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea as part of Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of this part of Ukraine. Occupation authorities continue to abuse and arbitrarily imprison foreigners and the local population, particularly individuals who are seen as challenging Russian authority on the peninsula.

The U.S. government prohibits its employees from traveling to Crimea and is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Donetsk and Luhansk – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Russia-led forces continue to control areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where the ongoing-armed conflict has resulted in more than 10,000 deaths. Individuals, including U.S. citizens, have been threatened, detained, or kidnapped for hours or days after being stopped at checkpoints controlled by Russia-led forces. The U.S. government restricts U.S. government employees from traveling to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and adjacent regions, which limits the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizen in these regions.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to the Risk Indicators.