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Questions and answers:

Jorge asks: Are any taxi services active running, to go to Lviv border? And may cost 500 euros? Is that a real price from Donetsk to Lviv?Thanks
Expert's answer:
As of March, 2024, anyone who says that it is possible to travel from Donetsk directly to Lviv by taxi, bus, etc. is lying. There is no civilian transport connection across the front line. Over the past few weeks, we have begun to receive a lot of similar requests (taxi from Donetsk to Lviv or Poland). This is probably the work of the same scammers.
David asks: Can you get a bus or train from Donetsk to Poland?
Expert's answer:

As of March 2024, Donetsk is controlled by Russia. This means that there are no direct transport links between this city and other Ukrainian cities controlled by the Ukrainian government and Poland as well. The frontline can't be crossed by civilians, there are no checkpoints.

Anyone who says that there are buses, taxis, private cars running from Donetsk across the frontline directly to, for example, Lviv or Poland is lying. The only way to leave Donetsk for a real person is to go to Russia at first, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. There are regular buses available.

From Russia, it is possible to fly to Istanbul, Turkey or enter the Baltic countries or even return to Ukraine via the Kolotylivka - Pokrovka checkpoint on the border between Sumy Oblast, Ukraine and Belgorod Oblast, Russia, the only border checkpoint, which is open.

Our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia (in this case, in our experience, the chance that this "person" is a scammer is close to 100%), before you are absolutely sure that this person is real.

Keith asks: Would the climate be more suitable in Odesa for people with C.O.P.D.?
Expert's answer:
The coastal climate of Odesa (humid continental, close to subtropical) is more suitable for treating the cardiovascular system, skin diseases, musculoskeletal system, nervous and endocrine systems. In the case of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, the dry climate of semi-deserts and deserts, as well as mountain climate, are better.
Yener asks: What is the best route to come from Donetsk to Istanbul?
Expert's answer:

As of February 2024, there are regular buses running from Donetsk to Rostov-on-Don, Russia (1,250 Rubles or 14 USD). From Rostov-on-Don, there are regular trains and buses running to Sochi (2,000-3,000 Rubles or 22-35 USD). From Sochi, there are regular flights to Istanbul - 10,000-14,000 Rubles (108-150 USD). Of course, we strongly recommend not to send any help before you meet the person. The costs are not high, especially if you are going to reimburse these expenses after the meeting.

Otherwise, you will most likely be scammed. This is especially true for contacts with those who claim to be living on Russian-controlled territory of Ukraine. In this case, according to our experience, the chance that you are dealing with scammers is close to 100%.

Kirk asks: An acquaintance of mine is in Konstyaninovka Donetsk. She wants to get to Warsaw. She says there is a bus service called Flybus which can get her there. Is it reliable? I also found another bus service called Infobus which is offering tickets from Donetsk to Warsaw. Are they reliable? Is there any other way for her to reach Warsaw?
Expert's answer:

As of February 2024, Kostyantynivka is controlled by the Ukrainian officials, although it is located very close to the frontline. It means that there are regular buses running from this city to other parts of Ukraine. Infobus site is fine, here is its schedule of Kostyantynivka-Warsaw buses (1-2 transfers).

Our advice is not to send any help before you actually meet the person. As you can see the ticket price is relatively low (50+ Euro), a Polish visa is not required, if the person has a valid bio-metric international passport (20-40 USD to get one). So it should not be a problem for a real person to meet you in Poland, especially if you help afterwards.

A fake person (scammer) will try to get as much money out of you as possible under the pretext of buying tickets, passport, insurance, bribes, etc. and of course the scammer is not going to go anywhere, but will provide reasons why it hasn't worked out and why a little more help is needed for one reason or another.

Steve asks: How much does an Ukrainian citizen pay for having an international passport issued?
Expert's answer:
As of February, 2024, the state fees to issue a Ukrainian biometric international passport are 856 UAH (Ukrainian Hryvnias) or about 23 USD (20 working days) or 1,496 UAH or 40 USD (7 working days).
Falcon asks: Are there taxi services charging 700 euro from Donetsk to Kyiv or is this scam? what are the possible ways to leave Donetsk?
Expert's answer:

This is 100% scam. As of January 2024, Donetsk is controlled by Russia. This means that there are no direct transport links between this city and other Ukrainian cities controlled by the Ukrainian government (Kyiv). The frontline can't be crossed by civilians, there are no checkpoints.

Anyone who says that there are buses, taxis, private cars running from Donetsk across the frontline are lying. The only way to leave Donetsk for a real person is to go to Russia at first, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. From Russia, it is possible to fly to Istanbul, Turkey, for example, or enter the Baltic countries or even return to Ukraine via Kolotylivka-Pokrovka checkpoint in Sumy Oblast, the only one border crossing, which is open.

As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia (in this case, in our experience, the chance that this "person" is a scammer is close to 100%), before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. Otherwise you are doing it at your risk.

Sam asks: Are there any Ukrainian names whose origin is related to gambling?
Expert's answer:
It can't be said that the Slavic peoples historically were known as gamblers, unlike, for example, the ancient Egyptians or the Japanese. However, they had high hopes for a Pagan god called Dazhbog (dazh - "give" and bog - "happiness, well-being, wealth"), when they were looking for luck in life. However, children are given such a name very rarely, so it is not widespread.
Bill asks: Can you help me write an address?
Expert's answer:
Here is an example of how to write an address (random address in Kyiv). To: Ivan Serhiyovych Ivanov. Address: 02000 (postal code), Ukraine, Kyiv, Tarasa Shevchenka Ln (street), 13 (building #), 2 (apartment #).
Chris asks: I have an acquaintance in Donetsk. She is saying that the only way out is by using Fastbus.in.ua. She wants me to buy the ticket online. However the site doesn't look very reliable. Looks like a scam. What ways are there to get out of Donetsk and are there any reliable sites from where I can purchase a ticket online? If you could also give me an indication of price it would be great. Her final destination where we planned to meet is in Poland. Thanks in advance
Expert's answer:

Yes, this site doesn't look reliable, received several requests mentioning it before. The most important thing is that there are no buses running from Donetsk, controlled by Russia at the moment, to other parts of Ukraine, controlled by the Ukrainian government, because it means to cross the front line. Anyone telling you that it is possible is deceiving you.

The only relatively safe way for a real person to leave Donetsk is to go to Russia at first, to Rostov-on-Don, for example. From there it is possible to go to the Baltic countries or Turkey and from there to Poland.

I personally would not trust anyone who claims that she is living in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia, the chance that she is a scammer is very close to 100% in my opinion.

The comments of our visitors

J Gilyanna
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I have been visiting your site for almost 2 years. Your accurate, proper and direct information given to the people that ask questions is amazing. I myself have asked questions and received very useful information from you.

I have also recommended your site to my friends that are becoming interested in knowing about Ukraine. I would like you to know that we appreciate your candid help. Sincerely, Joseph


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