Urgent tourism emergency update: Details of US and UK travel warnings to …
UK TRAVEL WARNING: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the city of Kyiv. If you’re currently visiting or living in Kyiv, you should stay inside. The FCO do not advise against the use of Kyiv Boryspil airport as a transit stop providing you do not leave the airport grounds.
Violent protests and demonstrations continue to occur in Kyiv and many other cities. Clashes between demonstrators and the police in Kyiv and elsewhere have caused fatalities on 18, 19 and 20 February. On 20 February there were unconfirmed, but credible reports of live ammunition being used which resulted in the deaths of up to 40 people. On 18/19 February at least 20 protesters and policemen were reportedly killed.
The demonstrations in Kyiv have mainly taken place around Independence Square, European Square, and St Michael’s Square. But violent clashes also occurred near Parliament on 18 February. There are credible reports of attacks in other parts of central Kyiv, especially at night. Many businesses in central Kyiv are closed. The metro in Kyiv has also been closed but airports remain open.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TRAVEL WARNING
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing political unrest and violent clashes between police and protestors. U.S. citizens in Ukraine, and those considering travel to Ukraine, should evaluate their personal security situation in light of the escalating violence, particularly in Kyiv. This replaces the Travel Alert for Ukraine dated February 18, 2014. On February 20, 2014, the Department of State authorized the departure of all family members of U.S. government personnel from Ukraine. While the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv’s Consular Section is open for public services, the Embassy’s ability to respond to emergencies involving U.S. citizens throughout Ukraine is limited.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Ukraine to evaluate carefully the risks posed to their personal safety, particularly in the capital city of Kyiv. Since February 18, there has been a sharp escalation in violence between protestors and police, resulting in multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries. The Ukrainian Security Services announced that they may use “extraordinary measures” to remove protestors from occupied areas. Protestors remain in Kyiv’s Independence Square and have occupied several government buildings in Kyiv and other cities throughout Ukraine. Groups of young men, popularly called “titushky,” have attacked journalists and protestors and committed other random acts of violence in Kyiv and other cities. Since February 19, the use of gunfire against protestors and journalists has been reported.
Ground transportation is currently disrupted in Kyiv and some other parts of the country. Since February 18, local authorities have shut down the Kyiv Metro (subway) for extended periods and cancelled inter-city trains on some routes with little or no notice. Ukrainian authorities have set up roadblocks that restrict access on certain roads entering Kyiv and adjacent to protest areas. Commercial flights to and from Ukraine are currently operating normally.
The situation in Ukraine is unpredictable and could change quickly. Further violent clashes between police and protestors in Kyiv and other cities are possible. The location and nature of demonstrations and methods employed by the police can change quickly and without warning. Protest sites continue to draw large crowds. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings. U.S. citizens whose residences or hotels are located in the vicinity of the protests are cautioned to leave those areas or prepare to remain indoors, possibly for several days, while clashes occur. U.S. citizens in Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv, should follow media reports closely as events develop.
Protests in Kyiv began on November 21, 2013, following the Government of Ukraine’s announcement that it was suspending preparations to sign an association agreement with the European Union. On November 30, police severely injured several demonstrators in an attempt to remove them from Independence Square. Protesters retaliated by occupying Kyiv’s Independence Square, City Administration Building (i.e. City Hall) and other buildings. Since then, there have been several clashes between protestors and police resulting in numerous injuries. On January 19, violence escalated with protesters and police using stones, Molotov cocktails, tear gas and rubber bullets. The violence escalated again on February 18 and since that time the situation continues to deteriorate.
There have also been demonstrations in Dnipropetrovsk, some of which have turned violent.
You should avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings.
Beware of petty crime, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots or when using public transport. See Crime