New Travel Alert for Ukraine Due to Political Unrest

A new travel alert from the U.S. Department of State has been issued for U.S. citizens traveling to Ukraine, due to ongoing political unrest and violence between protestors and police. Violence has been increasing since January 19, the alert reports. Several have died and there have been hundreds of injuries.

Protests in Kyiv began on November 21, 2013, after the Government of Ukraine’s announced it was “suspending preparations to sign an association agreement with the European Union,” the alert reports. Police seriously injured a few demonstrators in attempts to remove them on November 30. There have been clashes between police and protesters since.

“Groups of young men, popularly called “titushky,” have attacked journalists and protesters and committed other random acts of violence in Kyiv and other cities.  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, should clashes occur,” the alert reports. 

This situation in Ukraine is unpredictable. The political unrest in Kyiv may increase violence in other cities. As police and protesters continue to clash, protest sites have drawn large crowds. Protesters have blocked roads in Kyiv and other cities, and may do so again, the alert warns. 

The alert recommends U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Ukraine enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), either by Internet or with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. This makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is currently open for all routine American Citizens Services by appointment. 

American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy is located at 4 A.I. Sikorsky St. (formerly Tankova) in Kyiv, and can be reached by calling +380-44-521-5000 or by e-mailing kyivacs@state.gov.  The Embassy’s after-hours emergency telephone number is +380-44-521-5000.  

Current information on safety and security can also be found on the Department of State’s website or by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries.  U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Ukraine and stay up-to-date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution.