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Questions and answers:
honeydrip asks: How can I help a friend cope with power outages? Are there any tools or gadgets that could help? Meaning sending them from US to UA
Expert's answer:
You can think about sending a good portable charger (power bank), check
this article to get some info. Before sending help to any person in Ukraine, you should be completely sure that this person is real. Otherwise, you act at your own risk, as unfortunately there are a lot of scammers, especially if it is about a person from the territory controlled by Russia (in this case, the chance that this is a scammer is close to 100%).
Samantha asks: I'd like to gift a friend of mine $20-50 USD for his birthday. Do you think it's a decent amount?
Expert's answer:
As of October 2024, the average monthly salary in Ukraine is in the range of about 400-500 USD per month. So I think that the sum of about 50 USD would be just right as a nice birthday gift. And of course this only applies to a person you know and have met in person, and not just communicated with online, since in this case the chance that you are talking to a scammer is very high.
Bogdan asks: Part 2.
I'm not afraid that I would be denied entry to France, I'm more concerned that I'll be denied entry back to uk, could it happen? I entered uk and got residence permit with my extended passport and had no issues back than.
Expert's answer:
This is from an official document about UK residence permits:
"You must take your permit with you if you go abroad while you have permission to stay in the United Kingdom. You may have to show the permit to an immigration officer at the border when you leave the United Kingdom.
You will have to show it along with your valid national passport before you begin your return journey, and again when you re-enter the United Kingdom. The permit proves that you are allowed to return to the United Kingdom, but it cannot be used instead of a passport." Source.
So this means that having a valid international Ukrainian passport is still required to return to the UK and additional questions about validity may arise with an extended passport. You can also try to clarify this with UK Visas and Immigration. If time allows, then of course it is better for you to get a new Ukrainian international passport and avoid all possible problems, you will have to do it in the future anyway.
Bogdan asks: Can I still travel with embassy stamp extended passport. I live in uk and wish to go to france but afraid about possible difficulties
Expert's answer:
Officially, travel with an extended Ukrainian international passport is possible. However, there is a certain risk, as border services are not always willing to accept extended passports, especially when traveling by plane. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for a new passport to avoid problems at the border.
Passport extensions were a temporary measure aimed at helping Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country. The situation may change. Countries may tighten entry rules for citizens with extended passports. To be completely sure, it is better to have a new document that meets all international standards.
m&m asks: I have trying to call a friend in Donetsk Ukraine the number starts +380 99 ******* but the operator always says it is a wrong number. What should I do?
Expert's answer:
This is a phone number of the Ukrainian mobile operator Vodafone. It does not provide its services in Donetsk, which is currently controlled by Russia. It should also be noted that in 2022, the Donetsk city code was changed from Ukrainian +38(062) to Russian +7(856). This applies to landline phone numbers.
Piero asks: Good evening, it's possible for a women to leave Donetsk and come to Italy? I know some Ukrainian people come to Italy for the war. They have 33 euro for days and a place to sleep. Thanks
Expert's answer:
As you know, Donetsk is controlled by Russia at the moment. This means that there are no direct transport links between this city and other parts of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government because it means to cross the frontline, which is not possible.
The only regular buses available to Donetsk residents are running to Russia, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. From Rostov-on-Don, it is possible to get to Istanbul, Turkey.
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 (at least have numerous live video communication sessions, there is internet there).
Luke asks: Is it true that in order to leave Ukraine at the border with Poland civilian must show they have 1000 Euro with them?
Expert's answer:
When crossing the border, Polish border and customs services may require entrants to present funds at the rate of 300 Polish zlotys or the equivalent in foreign currency (approximately 77 USD) per day of stay in Poland. However, as far as I understand, this does not apply to Ukrainian refugees, since for obvious reasons they do not know for how long they are entering Poland and therefore they only need valid documents. You should contact people from
Visit Ukraine site, they should be able to provide the latest info about this issue.
Brian asks: Friends mother is in the Donetsk Oblast. She wants to travel to UK to stay with daughter. Where would she need to travel to receive Ukrainian documents? Is there any information I can research online?
Expert's answer:
The frontline can't be crossed by civilians. There are regular buses running from Donetsk to Rostov-on-Don (check this
timetable). From Russia, it is still possible to return to Ukraine via the
Kolotilovka-Pokrovka checkpoint.
P. Sor. asks: First question: Is it true that the bus ticket to Warsaw from Donetsk via Russia, costs about 600 Euro?
Second question: A person from Donets does need an international passport to be issued from the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw in order to travel in Europe? Thank you in advance.
Expert's answer:
In short, this is not true and looks like a typical example of scam. Residents of Donetsk can go by bus only to Russia, for example, to Rostov-on-Don (the ticket price is about 13 Euro). From Russia, it is possible to fly or go by bus to Turkey.
A Ukrainian citizen just needs a valid international bio-metric passport to enter the EU without a visa, usually it is issued in Ukraine or via Ukrainian embassies/consulates abroad. It can't be done in Donetsk or Russia.
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.
Sana asks: Hi, my Ukrainian mother international passport expires soon. It is very hard to get a slot in Ukrainian consulate in UK. But renewing passport slots are available. She is not mobile and it is hard for her to travel. My question is - her passport is not biometric, issued in 2014. Can they extend non-biometric passport, if yes, can it be done in one day? Many thanks
Expert's answer:
Yes, the validity of a non-biometric Ukrainian international passport can be extended and it can be done in one day, if you get a consulate appointment. Also it should be noted that it can be done no earlier than 2 months before the expiration date. Check the following official info about the process.
Usually, we don't recommend extending the validity of Ukrainian international passports, since Ukrainians with such extended passports often encounter problems when traveling. But if your mother is not going to travel, then this option is fine.
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