- The UK has updated its travel advice to some western regions of Ukraine including Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi to advise against all but essential travel.
- The UK previously advised against all travel to the whole of Ukraine after Russia's illegal invasion in February 2022.
- Guidance continues to advise against all travel to the capital Kyiv.
The UK government has updated its travel advice to Ukraine today following a change in the risk assessment on the ground in four western regions of the country.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice has been updated to advise against all but essential travel to the regions, known as oblasts, of Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi in western Ukraine. This is a change from the previous advice against all travel to the whole of Ukraine.
The FCDO constantly updates its travel advice on the basis of the situation on the ground and is not subject to any political or economic considerations. The safety and security of the British people is our utmost concern when determining guidance for British nationals overseas.
Russia continues to illegally wage war across Ukraine but the country continues to show remarkable determination and resilience in the face of Russia's attacks, which is why the UK has changed its travel advice to these regions. It has strong air defence systems which are helping to defend the country from Russia's missile and drone strikes.
In response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK previously updated its travel advice to advise against all travel. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the rest of Ukraine including the capital Kyiv.
Background:
- The FCDO cannot enforce travel advice. No foreign travel can be guaranteed as safe.
- Any decision to travel is for individuals to take on the basis of the best available information from the FCDO travel advice and other sources.
- Whether travel is essential or not is your own decision. You may have urgent family or business commitments which you need to attend to. Only you can make an informed decision based on your own individual circumstances and the risks.
