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Questions and answers:
Phil asks: Hi, What documents and cost are needed to get from the occupied zone to Ukraine please. Does it take long? Thank you
Expert's answer:
As of October 28, 2024, there are no direct transport links between parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia and other parts of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government because it means to cross the frontline, which is not possible.
There are no checkpoints for civilians, nobody can be "bribed" as it is a very active war zone and every car close to the frontline is considered a target by both sides. There are several fake sites where, for example, "bus tickets from Donetsk to Warsaw" can be "booked", but there are no such buses in reality. The same about taxis.
People living there can go by regular buses to Russia, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. And from Russia it is possible to get to Turkey. It is not possible to return from Russia to Ukraine because the border is closed.
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.
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%).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).
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.Alex asks: What Ukrainian names can sound funny or offensive in the US?
Expert's answer:
Let's look at a few examples of such names. The male name Vasily in Ukraine is common, but in the US it may be associated with the word "silly". Therefore, as an alternative, you can use the abbreviated name "Vasya". Another common name in Ukraine is Yuri. Its sound in English is similar to the word "urine". In such a situation, it is better to use the abbreviated form of the name - Yura. It is also not recommended to use the name Semyon in the USA, it is better to replace it with Sam or Simon.
Let's also mention a few female names. Sometimes the full name raises no questions, but the short form can lead to misunderstandings. For example, the name Sveta, a diminutive of the name "Svetlana", in English is associated with the word "sweat". The name Anastasia is known in English-speaking countries, but the abbreviated form "Nastya" sounds very similar to the word "nasty".
Such male names Nikita, Misha and Sasha, can confuse Americans, since in the USA they are more common as female names. This information may also be useful to you, if you order custom items with your name, for example, BPS Keychains. So be attentive to such seemingly trifles that can potentially lead to unpleasant situations.
Jack asks: Is email service to Odessa still working?
Expert's answer:
There are no problems with access to internet and, in particular, to e-mail in Odesa. If someone claims otherwise, then you are being deceived.Sherly asks: How to send gift to my friend who is studying in Vinnitsa Medical College?
Expert's answer:
The postal service of Ukraine still delivers parcels throughout most of the country, including Vinnytsia, so there should be no problems with delivery. Just use the correct address, something like this: To: The full name of the person Address: 21000 (postal code of Vinnytsia) Ukraine, Vinnytsia city, Street name, #building, #apartment.Vlad asks: Can I make a video call via Skype or Telegram to Luhansk?
Expert's answer:
There is internet access in Luhansk, the speed is enough for video calls through services such as Skype, Telegram or others, they are not blocked. So for a real person it shouldn't be a problem.Michael asks: What are the citizens of Izyum called?
Expert's answer:
The residents of Izyum are called "izyumtsy", he - "izyumets", she - "izyumchanka".Mario asks: Is it safe to travel to Ukraine at the moment?
Expert's answer:
As of August 2022, the western and central parts of Ukraine, especially small towns and villages, are relatively safe to return to.Chris P asks: How do the people of Ukraine pay for food and rent during this time of war?
Expert's answer:
In most of the country, everything is generally as usual, people can use bank cards or pay in cash.Roger asks: Would a Ukrainian pronounce Lugansk with a "g" sound or a softer "h" sound please?
Expert's answer:
Pronunciation with "g" is how the name of this city sounds in Russian, with "h" - in Ukrainian.Val asks: Where could I obtain a copy of my grandfather's birth certificate. He was born in Odessa in 1879.
Expert's answer:
You should contact the State Archives of Odesa Oblast.kingsley asks: I want to know how can I get my posvidka, it was already ready in immigration before the war started, the day I wanted to collect my posvidka I was called by school not to come at Mariupol due to the war. Now I want to return to Ukraine, but the boarder guard will not allow me because I don't have posvidka. How do I go about it?
Expert's answer:
I doubt that you can get the document that you were issued before the war, since Mariupol is not under the control of Ukraine now. Contact the State Migration Service of Ukraine directly and describe your case. They may be able to issue you another document. You can also contact the embassy/consulate of Ukraine to your country, maybe they can provide some info too.Charming asks: I am 19 years old and a permanent resident in Ireland under an EUfam Stamp 4 resident card. Would I have to mandatorily return to Ukraine for military service when I am 20, or would I have any avenues to apply for military exemption?
Expert's answer:
In short, if you yourself don't come to Ukraine and don't appear at the military registration and enlistment office, then you don't need to worry about this. Check the following article about Military service in Ukraine.Molly asks: Hi, I'm doing paperwork for a friend and their ex wife asked for a letter to travel outside of Ukraine with the child. They provided the passport number and information but I don't know if it is the correct information. Is their anyway to tell if the number is not the real number, like do any letters or numbers help tell?
Expert's answer:
Passport data is personal information and you can't legally verify it yourself. In any case, in most cases, in order for the child to leave Ukraine with one of the parents, a notarized consent of the second parent is required, which in turn is issued upon presentation of the original documents (parent's passport, child's birth certificate). More information about the Rules for the departure of a child abroad in Ukraine.Eddy asks: I am chatting with a lady from the region Luhansk. Is it correct that she can't do any video call with for example Viber, because it's blocked?
Expert's answer:
This is not true, internet in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine may be unstable and not very fast, but it is enough for video communication through various messengers. The statement that this is not possible immediately casts doubt on this person's intentions. You should stop further communication with this person, because the chance that this person is not real is very high (photos can't prove it).Zina asks: As a foreign student studying a preparatory year to learn the Ukrainian language before studying medicine, can I get a job as a doctor in Ukraine after I get my degree or are there more requirements to practice medicine in Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
If you receive a Ukrainian diploma of medical education, then you should not have problems with employment in your specialty in Ukraine, if, of course, you have sufficient qualifications for your potential employer, can speak Ukrainian/Russian. You should start looking for work in your specialty during your studies, try to offer your services to local private clinics, get an internship with them. Thus, after graduation, you will already have experience, connections in clinics, and this will help you to quickly get a job.Titaf asks: Could you please verify how pensions are being paid now in LUGANSK? I understand pensioners are issued a credit card and they MUST collect cash every months or loose it. Can't be just credited to a Bank account or collected anytime? Thanks
Expert's answer:
I haven't found any info about such limitations, which sound very strange, so it looks like that this is not true. Read the following article about the situation with pensions there.Felipe asks: When applying for a visa type D, and showing a bank statement as proof of funds, does it need to be stamped/notarized? Or is a normal printed page enough?
Expert's answer:
According to the information I have found, this document must be singed by the responsible bank employee and stamped. You can also contact the embassy directly to get an official reply about this issue.Paula asks: I have a green card and live permanently in the US. I have a Ukrainian passport with my maiden name and need to get it changed to my married name. What is the procedure to do this without going back to Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
You can't change your name and get a new internal Ukrainian passport outside of Ukraine. And it should be done in 1 month time after marriage registration in the local office of the Migration Service of Ukraine. Otherwise you should be ready to pay a fine. Here is the list of regional offices. Only getting a new international passport is available via the embassy/consulate of Ukraine.Anonymous asks: How can I reissue for my posvidka which I lost?
Expert's answer:
Check the following article about restoring a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.Toni asks: I'm on touch with a woman from Alchevsk, Ukraine. We sent several mails and pictures, but now I asked her for video chat via skype or something like that. She wrote me that her smart phone doesn't work very well because is very old and can't use the camera. Then I asked her for to go to an internet cafe and talk with camera via skype. She answered me that computers in Alchevsk internet clubs also are very old and don't have camera. Is it possible? Thanks in advance for your help.
Expert's answer:
You are doing the right thing when asking for video communication, as this is the only more or less reliable way to make sure that the person you are communicating with is real. Today, it is not a problem for a real person to get a cheap smartphone that allows this kind of communication. In your case, when this "person" finds various excuses why this is impossible, it means that this is not a real person and we recommend to stop any further communication.Alex asks: Hello, I have lost my residency card outside of Ukraine. I go to school in Ukraine, how will I be able to enter Ukraine to study if I dont find my residency card? Thank you
Expert's answer:
Most likely, if you fail to find this document, you will have to contact the police and report the loss, obtain an official document proving that you have done it. With this document you should contact the embassy/consulate of Ukraine in the country of your current stay and they will issue a temporary document allowing you to enter Ukraine. When you find yourself in Ukraine, you will have to pay a fine to the Migration Service of Ukraine and get a new document.Jessica asks: Can an international student buy mopeds for attending classes in Ukraine from my apartment
Expert's answer:
You can buy an electric scooter and use it for this purpose. Currently, you don't need a driver's license to operate this type of transport in Ukraine.Paul asks: If I am flying from London thru Ukraine to Chicago do I pass through customs in Ukraine or only Chicago?
Expert's answer:
If you do not leave the territory of the terminal, then you will not need to go through customs in Ukraine. Check the site of the Boryspil airport to get additional info about transfer passengers.Matt asks: I have $700 a month every month can live in Kyiv with that amount of money thanks
Expert's answer:
The average salary of people in Kyiv is about 750 USD per month, so without accommodation this sum should be enough. But if you need to rent an apartment, then the remaining sum will be enough only for basic food, utilities, transport, and that's all.Lisa asks: Does Miasnaya Street still exist in Bila-Tserkva?
Expert's answer:
Yes, its name in Ukrainian is M'yasna Street, you can see it on Google Maps.Myla asks: Hello. I am from Ukraine and became an American citizen. My brother(he lives in Ukraine) is threatening that he will contact the Ukrainian Embassy in America if I would not pay for my mother's apartment and he said he will make me pay alimoney. I have no ownership rights for any property in Ukraine. My mother left all assets exclusively to him. How legitimate is his threat and can I protect myself from him. Thank you.
Expert's answer:
According to Ukrainian laws, the only case in your situation when a sister may be obliged by the court to pay alimony to her brother is when the brother is disabled and can't live without this help. I don't know if this is so in your case. If this is not so, then there can be no legal obligations and these are just empty threats and a desire to get easy money.
Also, from your request, it is not very clear whether your mother is still alive, since the payment of alimony can be assigned to children, if their parents are disabled and need financial assistance and, again, a court decision is needed.
JG asks: My brother is in communication with a Ukrainian woman. She wants to leave Ukraine so they can get married. She is telling him that there is a substantial fee she has to pay the Ukrainian Government in order for her to leave Ukraine. Is this true?
Expert's answer:
It is not true, there are no such fees. As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real.
The first step is to talk to this person directly via something like Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. with a webcam turned on. A real person can do it, a fake one will find a number of reasons why it is impossible. If the person refuses, it is recommended to stop any further communication to save your time and efforts.James asks: I would like to visit Alchevsk, as I am speaking with a woman from there.
I know this is in the region of LPR, and I can't find what paperwork I need to enter this region. Are you able to advise please?
I am British if this helps?
Expert's answer:
To visit Alchevsk as a foreigner, you will need to issue a pass on the website of the Security Service of Ukraine. It won't be an easy task because all forms must be filled out in Ukrainian and most probably you will be refused anyway. The process is described in this article. You can use Google Translate.
It will be much easier, if you offer this person to meet in Kyiv, it is not a problem for a real person to do this. Of course, only after you have talked many times with a webcam turned on through Skype, WhatsApp, etc. There is internet there. If the person refuses, then you should stop further communication and of course don't send any help before you meet.
Samuel W. asks: I have been talking to this girl in Alchevsk. We have been sending emails back and forth. The emails seem to be true with not asking for money as of today. I did look at the header information on the email and it is pinging from the town of Kyiv City. Is this something that should happen? Are should it be pinging off the town of Alchevsk? Thanks.
Expert's answer:
I'm not sure how you get information about the location of the sender from the header, but it looks suspicious. Of course, those who pretend to be people from the conflict zone in most cases do not live there, because receiving transfers from aboard in the zone is very problematic without international payment systems and banks.
Anyway, until you talk to this person numerous times directly with a webcam turned on (Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.), you can't be sure that this person is real, only emails and a few photos are not enough. A real person in Ukraine can do the above without any problems, even in the conflict zone. If the person refuses to do it for any reason, it is better not to continue communication.
Sofia V. asks: I'm Ukrainian and my son (less than 2 yr-old) is citizen of U.S.A, but he does not have Ukrainian passport, does he need visa to enter Ukraine? Do they actually ask for proof of medical insurance coverage for 30,000 Euro when foreigners enter Ukraine? Thanks!
Expert's answer:
Your son, as a citizen of the US, has the right to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days within a 180 days period without a visa. From June 20, 2020, it is prohibited to cross the border of Ukraine for foreigners without a medical insurance with coverage starting from 30 thousand euros. Insurance must include coverage for the treatment of coronavirus infection. It must be provided at the time of the border crossing. More info about it.Maria asks: I am a U.S. citizen as well as a Ukrainian citizen (I hold both passports) and am planning a trip to Ukraine from the U.S.
I also have children, who only have the U.S. passport. Does that mean we, as a family, are considered to be in the 'foreigners' line upon arrival in Ukraine going through customs?
Expert's answer:
If you were traveling alone, showing Ukrainian citizenship documents at the Ukrainian border and US citizenship documents upon returning to the United States would be the best choice. If your children have only the US citizenship, then you can simply use your US documents everywhere to avoid confusion and possible additional questions at the customs. You can also contact the embassy of Ukraine to the US, maybe they can provide more info about this issue.CW asks: Hello! I have also been speaking with a woman from, Alchevsk Ukraine like others here. I have requested Skype from her but all she can do is send me a video message from her smartphone because she says the internet is not working in her area because her town is in the center of the war with Russia and internet video doesn't work. She has done everything I have asked of her in the cellphone video such as saying my name the she says hello etc. We have been emailing for a few weeks now, but she has not asked me for money yet. And I stress "yet." What do you suggest I ask her next to confirm her identity before taking this any further and is her claim about Skype and internet capabilities legitimate? Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, CW
Expert's answer:
It is true that Alchevsk is in the conflict zone however it is located relatively far from the border where the fighting is taking place. Separatist authorities themselves offer consultations via Skype, so the allegation that it is impossible to use it in Alchevsk looks dubious. You can also ask to send you a set of photos taken, for example, on Lenin Square in the center of Alchevsk to prove that this "person" actually lives in Alchevsk. Of course the best way is to offer to meet in Kyiv as travel restrictions have been lifted. A real person can do it without your help.Rudy asks: Is it safe for a Canadian to travel to Stakhanov since Luhansk is in the war zone? Thank you.
Expert's answer:
You can't go to Stakhanov since it is not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities and is controlled by the separatists of the Lugansk People's Republic. Since we constantly receive such requests, you should not trust anyone claiming living in this zone, just offer to meet in Kyiv, a real person can do it without any help from you. And of course, before that, you should talk to this person many times via video calls and not just emails. All who refuse to do it are not trustworthy.Kathryn asks: I was adopted from Kharkiv when I was 16 months old. I now live in America and do not speak Russian. I want to return to Ukraine and go to Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other places. I want to learn both Russian and Ukrainian in the future, but I want to go to Ukraine in 3 years. What language should I learn first?
Expert's answer:
I would personally choose to learn the Russian language at first. The reasons are simple. It is spoken by much more people in the world, most people in Ukraine also know Russian and speak it especially in the eastern part of the country including Kyiv and Kharkiv. Also, the cultural heritage in Russian is much larger, primarily literature.Blessing asks: My interview was on the 5th of march 2020, i had a mail sent to be that my documents is on transit on the 16th of march. Today is 23rd march i have not gotten my documents. N/B i paid for courier, please should I be worried? I gave them my originals
Expert's answer:
Due to the current epidemiological situation, it is likely that it will take more time to deliver these documents to you. You just have to wait patiently. Anyway, entry into Ukraine is prohibited at the moment and this ban will last at least several weeks.Brock asks: Can people living in the Luhansk region apply online for passes out of the conflict zone?
Expert's answer:
Yes, for this purpose, the Security Service of Ukraine has created a special site where it can be done completely online. There is internet access in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine.Mark asks: I have a package in the Ukraine and it's lost in the system I sent from the US.
Expert's answer:
According to this tracking service the last known stop was in the US. Maybe it stuck somewhere in the port of Europe, especially when you consider that this is the time of transport strikes in France.James asks: My fiance is from Alchevsk and is planning to fly back this week from Cyprus, to see her family. What is the safest and easiest way to go back. I was thinking from Russia, but she says from Kharkiv although she hasn't been home in 3 years.
Expert's answer:
If she doesn't want to violate Ukrainian laws, then it will be right to come to Alchevsk from Kharkiv and not across the border with Russia. There are several regular buses running from Kharkiv to Alchevsk and back. Also, to enter/leave the conflict zone a person should get a special pass issued online.Jerrald asks: How long does it take to get a residence permit after arriving in Ukraine with Class D visa as a student?
Expert's answer:
A temporary residence permit is issued for the period of study, which is determined by the order of the university on the establishment of terms of study for foreign students. The official term is 15 working days. You should contact the university officials about the procedure because most probably it is somehow centralized for all foreign students of this university.Selam asks: How much coffee is allowed to have in baggage without payout paying. Thank you.
Expert's answer:
It is allowed to bring food products for own consumption to Ukraine. Products in the manufacturer's packaging intended for retail trade (chocolate, spaghetti, tea, coffee, olive oil, etc.) - 1 pack is allowed.Niki Killian asks: According to the map there are radiation hot spots to the north east of the exclusion zone, what would cause the higher radiation levels so far away.
Expert's answer:
It is really not that far away, check this map. Winds at different heights spread clouds with radioactive particles throughout Europe and around the world. An intense release of radioactivity into the atmosphere in the form of a jet, which continuously changed its initial direction following the direction of the wind, was observed for about 10 days.Raul asks: Hi, my girlfriend is living in Luhansk, if she will travel to Istanbul, does she need to pay any exit permit?
Expert's answer:
No payments are required. Citizens of Ukraine only need to have an internal Ukrainian passport with an ID-card, documents confirming the booking of a hotel room to enter Turkey without a visa (for up to 90 days within 180 days). As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. At least talk to this person several times via something like Skype with a webcam turned on. After it, you should arrange your meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.Anna asks: Hi, I plan to visit Turkey and I only have internal passport. Can I use it to travel there? Or do I need to issue the bio-metric passport?
Expert's answer:
You need to have a valid international passport to visit Turkey. For a short visit to this country you don't need a visa.Natasha asks: What if I lost my resident card in Ukraine and want to come to India urgently?
Expert's answer:
If you are a citizen of India, you don't need a Ukrainian resident card to visit your country. The visa permit for Ukrainians can be obtained online here. You can also contact the embassy of India to Ukraine.Electric asks: Is it true that the Soviet Union experienced the same accident as Chernobyl in a different nuclear plant, yet smaller, but didn't let it be known for fear of appearing weak? Thus it was repeated in Chernobyl.
Expert's answer:
You probably mean the accident at Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, which occurred in 1975. Also check the article about The Kyshtym disaster of 1957 - the third-most serious nuclear accident ever recorded behind Fukushima and Chernobyl.Brian asks: I am dating a girl in Kyiv, she sends
pictures but I have not talked to her
on phone, she does not have one? She says
she wants help money but she cannot pick
it up needs passport to pick it up
is that true? Can you use Ukrainian
ID card? Sounds strange. How much is the wage of a newspaper editor working for Kiev post? Monthly
Expert's answer:
Today, there are a lot of relatively cheap smartphones available and everyone who really needs one can buy it. You should not send any money before you see this person. The best way is to meet the person in Kyiv. I haven't found a lot of such jobs available, but in general the average salary in this field in Kyiv is about 400-500 USD per month.Dane asks: Is it true that there is law in Ukraine that someone has to have minimum 550 USD (bank statement or cash) before check-in the flight?
Expert's answer:
There is no such requirement. As we receive a lot of similar requests, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. At least talk to this person several times via something like Skype with a webcam turned on. After it, you should arrange your meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.Geert asks: I met a girl from Lugansk region. She sent me even passport made date 18 march 2019. Now she claims she need to wait for 2 months to get permission to leave the area. Only will get the permission straight away if she books tickets by herself in the local travel agent. This is all bullsh*t right?
Expert's answer:
Yes, it doesn't sound right. The passes are issued for free online by the Security Service of Ukraine and no tickets are required. Unfortunately this has already become a very popular scheme - a helpless girl in a conflict zone with limited communication with the outside world is trying to get away. We receive such requests almost every day. In all such cases you should offer a meeting in Kyiv and only after it you can be absolutely sure that the person in question is real.Martin asks: Interested in exploring Mennonite history in nearby Molochnya. Are there any guides available who can do a tour to there?
Expert's answer:
A lot of old photos and info related to this topic is available here. And here is the auto-translated version of this page. Try to contact Zaporozhye guides, someone should probably be able to help you organize a trip there.Lilia asks: Hi, I have a very big issue. So, I am in a small country called Togo in Africa. My passport has expired and I would like to renew it but unfortunately there is no Ukrainian embassy here in Togo. What can I do?
Expert's answer:
The functions of the Embassy of Ukraine in Togo are performed by the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria. You should contact them about your issue.Ted asks: I have met a woman and she has reported that she i has her visa and plane tickets to come to the US to visit on vacation. She now is telling me that the custom officers are telling her she must have at least 1500 US dollars cash with her before she is aloud to board the plane to come to the US. Is that a true statement or rule that Ukraine has?
Expert's answer:
There are no such requirements. The person needs to have a valid international passport and a visa. Don't send any help to a person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. At least talk to this person several times via something like Skype with a webcam turned on. After it, you should arrange your meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.John asks: Does the local Ukrainian need a special permit to travel to Kiev? How much does it cost? Thank you.
Expert's answer:
Special passes, issued online for free, are only required to leave/enter the conflict zone, which is not controlled by Ukrainian officials, for example, the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk. Severodonetsk is located near the conflict zone but Ukraine controls it, so there are no restrictions of any kind to leave/enter this city.Frank asks: Hello I am dating a girl from Donetsk and we have planned to meet in Kiev. She claims she needs 50 dollars to get a passport that will allow her to leave Donetsk and go to Kiev. Is it possible?
Expert's answer:
The passes allowing to leave/return to the conflict zone, the city of Donetsk in your case, are issued online for free. There are regular buses available running from Donetsk to Kyiv. Before you meet this person face to face you should not send her anything. We receive a lot of similar requests and almost all of them, especially when it comes to the conflict zone in the east of Ukraine, are suspicious.Mary asks: Is the correct spelling for a village in the Poltava Oblast Ostapivka or Ostapovka? Is there a town in Ukraine that sounds like Bushtat?
Expert's answer:
The correct (Ukrainian) spelling is Ostapivka, the Russian variant is Ostapovka. I haven't found anything similar to "Bushtat" and it doesn't sound like a Ukrainian or Russian name. Maybe something is wrong with the spelling, if you have it written in the original language, then I can check again.Kristan asks: I am sending a package to some children who live in an apartment with their grandma. The address I have is a PO Box number, Yuzhny, Odessa Region, Ukraine.
I have tracking on the package and is being shipped back and forth to Kiev and then to other locations, and then back to Kiev. Will it arrive? I have another package to ship but I am afraid it will not arrive without a postal code (zip code) or apartment number.
Expert's answer:
The postal code of Yuzhne, a port city in the Odessa region, is 65481. Are you sure you can't get the address of their permanent residence, which includes the street, house and apartment numbers? Without this info I don't think you should send another package before the first one is delivered/returned to you. Also check the site, contact the Postal Service of Ukraine.Glover Barnes asks: Cost of a pass from Alchevsk to outside the occupied area of Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
The passes allowing to leave/return to the conflict zone in the east of Ukraine can be obtained by locals online for free.Brian asks: How close is the fighting of the war? I heard it's in the fields outside of Konstantinovka. Does the city have very many power interruptions?
Expert's answer:
It is true that Konstantinovka, as of September 2018, is located near the front line, but the distance to it is about 25-30 km, so it can't be said that the fighting is on the outskirts of the city. Konstantinovka has problems with water supply, but there are no significant problems with electricity, interruptions are possible in winter with increasing load on the electricity grid.
As we receive a lot of similar requests, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real (at least talk to this person several times via Skype with a webcam turned on or better meet the person in Ukraine, in Kyiv, for example). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.
Slava asks: I am Ukrainian. How I can return to Ukraine from India if my passport and visa expired?
Expert's answer:
You must obtain a document certifying your identity at the embassy of Ukraine in India. Your overdue passport is not such a document. This document is named something like "certificate of return." The validity period is usually about 10 days, during this time you must cross the border.john asks: I only speak English. Would it be difficult for me to get along, rent an apartment, find my way around?
Expert's answer:
It will not be easy. In general, the situation is better in large tourist cities, such as Kyiv and Lviv. In other cities and towns including such regional centers as Zhytomyr, still a relatively small number of people can speak English, mostly young people, students. However, their number is growing and the situation looks promising. Most of the signs on the streets are also not duplicated in English.Sofia asks: Do you have contact information for a government office in Halych? It could be the town council, mayor, historical society, etc. I am trying to find my grandfather's house; I know the name of the street; it was named for my aunt, in honor of her activities during WW2. I would really appreciate any information or contacts that you can provide. Thank you
Expert's answer:
Here is the contacts page of Halych Town Council. Also the following map of Halych provided by Google Maps will probably be of some use.M asks: Hello! I lost essential medication en route to Ukraine from Canada. How do you place a 'collect call' to Canada from Ukraine? What is the number for the international operator? My hotel reception staff does not know, and I do not have a phone. Thank you.
Expert's answer:
If you are a citizen of Canada, you can contact the embassy of Canada in Ukraine. Also contact the airport of your departure from Canada and the airline, which services you used.Anna asks: Hello. I'm a Ukrainian living in Australia. My passport expires in Oct18. My visa is linked to my current passport number. Is there a way to renew the passport without changing the number? Thank you.
Expert's answer:
I have found that the embassy of Australia recommends, after receiving a new passport, to come to the embassy and re-paste the visa in a new passport. The service is free and consists of printing a new visa for the new passport and canceling the visa in the old one. You should also contact the embassy of Ukraine in Australia and the embassy of Australia in Ukraine.Steve asks: Are Ukrainian jails much different to English jails?
Expert's answer:
It is hard for me to talk about the situation in English jails and prisons, but here are a few figures about the situation in Ukraine. There are about 150 prisons in Ukraine. The total number of prisoners is about 60 thousand people (2017). The state spends 1,500-2,400 USD per year on one prisoner. The average monthly salary of working prisoners is about 60 USD per month.
The main problems include police brutality (obtaining confessions by force), poor medical support, complicated access of detainees to lawyers, exceeding of a 72-hour period of detention without a court decision. There is also a problem with prison staff leaving the service because of low salaries and stress. There is evidence of ill-treatment of life-guilty prisoners too.
Pete asks: Are there any pictures of the park in operation before the accident?
Expert's answer:
I have found only a couple of photos of the amusement park of Pripyat before the Chernobyl accident (first, second). Also it should be said that the Ferris wheel was never opened, it was to be done during the celebration of International Workers' Day on May 1, 1986.Davide asks: I am looking to rent a one room apartment near the postal code 54018-Nikolaev. Thanks in advance for your information.
Expert's answer:
It is the postal code of the post office #18 in Nikolaev. The list of one-room apartments available for long-term rent in Nikolaev (you need Inhulskyi district). You can use this service to translate sites.Glover asks: A friend is in Alchevsk, she is a Ukrainian citizen with her I.d. card. She wants to leave and meet me in Kharkiv. She can depart any time. Please tell me how I can tell her to do this. Also I would love to buy her bus ticket how do I do that. Thank you.
Expert's answer:
People can leave the area that is not under control of Ukrainian officials (passes are issued for free), regular buses are available, the ticket price is about 25-30 USD. As we receive a lot of similar requests, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are not under control of Ukrainian officials, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.Fer asks: Hi, I'm a Spanish citizen, I already got the Ukrainian work permit and the corresponding long term visa. Soon I will travel to Ukraine where I will apply for residence permit, is there any Spanish document that I need to bring from Spain?
I'd like to avoid having to ask someone in Spain to send something by post.
(For example, I know I need Ukrainian criminal clearance, but do I also need the Spanish one?) Thanks in advance and thanks for the previous answer!
Expert's answer:
Here is the list of the documents required for obtaining a permanent residence in Ukraine. As a foreigner you need to provide a criminal clearance issued in your country (Spain). Other documents can be obtained in Ukraine, like the medical document stating that you don't suffer from chronic alcoholism, substance abuse, drug addiction or infectious diseases. You can use this service to translate sites.Mom in waiting asks: We are adopting our son from Ukraine and we are waiting for his passport. Our Ukrainian facilitator applied for his passport over one month ago. Passport office said it would take about one month. Do you know the current time passports are taking? Will it be a little longer because of the holidays that were in January?
Expert's answer:
Yes, you are right that usually it takes up to 1 month to obtaining an international passport in Ukraine. However, because of the holidays and also the fact that in the last few months the demand for this document has grown significantly, this period may increase to 2-3 months.Tim Minor asks: Where is Byelokoroviche, Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
Most probably you mean Bilotserkivka. There are at least two villages with this name in present Ukraine. You can see them on Google Maps: Bilotserkivka in the Poltava region and Bilotserkivka in the Zaporozhye region.Ace asks: Does a Ukrainian needs to buy airplane tickets to travel to another country on their own or can someone from another country buy it for them? Is it true that when Ukrainians leave the country to travel overseas, they will be stopped in the airport not allowed to board if the ticket is bought by someone else having the recipe with someone else's name?
Expert's answer:
You can buy an airplane ticket for another person, but for this, when filling in the form, you should use this person's personal data, passport number. If the ticket is issued for another person, then it can not be used by anyone else. As we receive a lot of similar requests, our advice is not to send any help to anyone in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.Stewart asks: Does a Ukrainian with a tourist visa need to show a bank statement to travel to the USA?
Expert's answer:
It is necessary to have only a valid international passport and visa, no other documents are required.Scottl asks: I would like my lady to visit me in Kiev from Sumy. Does she need special passes to exit and enter back to Sumy?
Expert's answer:
No, Ukrainians don't need any passes to go from Sumy to Kiev, the trip takes about 5 hours by train. Passes are required to leave/enter parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are not under control of Ukrainian officials, they are issued for free.Bahomo Toy asks: Is it prohibited to take photographs inside or around the restaurant in Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
On the street you can freely take pictures, but inside the restaurant you should better ask for permission.Timothy asks: Is there a city in Ukraine known as Huzna Wzna (sp?). Thank you.
Expert's answer:
I haven't found any place in Ukraine with this name and it doesn't look Ukrainian, more like Polish. Maybe it was located on the territory of western Ukraine, which was part of Poland until the Second World War. You can try to contact Polish archives to get more info.Otokhine divine favour asks: I already got into Bogomolets and I will be in Ukraine in about a month. I would like to know if there are any job opportunities or better still any modeling company that will accept a black model. I want to know if its possible to open an online bank account so I can transfer money to it from Nigeria.
Expert's answer:
You should try to get in contact with Kyiv modeling agencies, I have found several sites (first, second, third). You can't open a bank account online in any of the banks in Kyiv if you are not yet a customer of this bank. So when you come to Kyiv, you will be able to do it. This list of Kyiv banks will probably be useful.Melvin asks: In September I am going to be in Nikolaev. How can I get a friend who lives in Donetsk to visit me in Nikolaev? Does he need special permission to leave Donetsk given the current conflict?
Expert's answer:
People living in the areas that are not under control of Ukrainian officials need to get a special pass to leave and return to the zone. They can get it for free via the following official site. The description of the process. You can use this service to translate the sites if it is required.Mary asks: Hi, am a Nigerian living in Ukraine.i have a permanent resident permit of ukraine and my baby is a citizen of ukraine by birth. please I want to ask how I can change my baby last name . on her birth certificate she is using her father's last name though we are not married. Presently we have parted ways and I want to change my baby's last name to my own last name. Is it possible. Please help. Thanks
Expert's answer:
The Ukrainian legislation allows it. If both parents agree to change the last name of the child, they jointly submit an application to the registry office, in which they express the desire to change the child's surname to a different one. If one of the parents doesn't agree, then everything becomes more complicated and should be resolved in court.Keith Jones asks: Where is the hospital in Bilhorod-Dnistroskiy?
Expert's answer:
The following list of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi hospitals will probably be useful. You can use this service to automatically translate sites from Ukrainian/Russian.guest asks: why isn't it common for Ukrainian females to shake hands with men and with each other?
Expert's answer:
Shaking hands is a form of greeting typical for men in Ukraine as well as in other countries of the former Soviet Union.
And since the level of emancipation of women in comparison with Western Europe and the United States is lower, this form of greeting is not common.Shubham Kumar asks: How much time will it take to recover and new city life to setup there. I am from India. May God bless people of Pripyat city.
Expert's answer:
In the greater part of the exclusion zone, a relatively favorable radiation situation will be somewhere around 2040-2050. However, in the central part of the zone there are also toxic transuranium isotopes, the half-life of which is thousands of years. Thus, in the foreseeable future, people will not live permanently there.Nour asks: How long can an international student stay in Ukraine after completing his/her study? (undergraduate degree)
Expert's answer:
Foreigners can stay until they have valid visas. To obtain a permanent residence permit, it is necessary to get a permission for immigration to Ukraine.Nour asks: Hi, I am a lebanese citizen who is studying in Lebanon, my mother is ukrainian and we were told that if i go to ukraine (since i'm above 18) i would have to serve some time in the ukrainian army. is it true that i have to serve in the army once i get to ukraine ? and Thank You
Expert's answer:
If you are not a citizen of Ukraine, you of course don't have to serve in the army. Try to get in contact with the embassy of Ukraine in Lebanon to get official info about the issue.Margery asks: Hello, Ukraine Expert! Thank you for all your help thus far. Do you know of how to go about finding a short term (2-3 days) rental house or apartment in Sokal? Thank you.
Expert's answer:
Sokal is a small town, not a lot of apartments are available for rent. Here are three offers.Margery asks: In the future I would like to go to Ukraine as a volunteer. What kinds of opportunities exist for Canadians, such as a nurse or community volunteer, and is it possible to stay as long as one year? Thanks!
Expert's answer:
The following list of volunteer organizations in Ukraine will probably be useful, try to get in contact with them. You can use this service to automatically translate sites from Ukrainian/Russian.Pelin asks: Hello all! Does anyone know if the Lviv Opera Theater have performs in March? I can only see their February repertuar. But I will visit Lviv in March and I would like to learn if they have performances in March too. Just to be sure :))
Expert's answer:
Yes, you are right that there is no info about performances in March on the site of the Lviv Opera at the moment. I think that everything will be fine, and it will work as usual, I haven't found any news to the contrary. Just visit the site of the opera in the middle of February, it will likely be updated and the March performances will appear.Cecil asks: Is it safe to travel from the USA to Severodonetsk, Lugansk, Ukraine presently?
Expert's answer:
Lugansk is not under control of Ukrainian officials now (December 2016). It is not recommended to visit it, especially for citizens of the US, because it is very risky. Severodonetsk is under Ukrainian control, but it is located near the front line, so the situation may deteriorate very quickly. In general, I would recommend to avoid visiting Donetsk and Lugansk regions at the moment. Other regions of Ukraine are relatively safe.Darren asks: Is there any Pentecostal church in Sumy?
Expert's answer:
I have found the contacts of the following Pentecostal church located in Sumy.Kaze asks: Were there any casualties in the city during the chernobyl disaster?
Expert's answer:
Three people were killed immediately in the explosion at the station. In the first day after the accident, 31 people died of radiation sickness (firemen from Pripyat and station employees). The total number of victims is difficult to determine, the number is about 4,000 people (mainly liquidators of the accident at the station).Lu asks: Would my letter to my aunt in Dniprodzershynsk have been delivered to her Matrosova address since the city name change? I have not had a reply in almost a year and am concerned due to health issues.
Thank you for any insight.
Expert's answer:
Changing the name of Dniprodzerzhynsk happened relatively recently, in May 2016, about 3 months ago. So if you sent her a letter a year ago, it was to be delivered long time ago, otherwise it was probably lost. Usually it takes several weeks to deliver a letter to Ukraine from almost any country. You can send her another one, this time use the new name of the city.Tzilla Kratter asks: Has Mickiewicza street changed its name and how can I find it on the map?
Expert's answer:
Unfortuntely I haven't found any info about the current name of this street, only the following old photo of Mickiewicza Street in Brody.eugene asks: Is there a public russian banya at Pochaev?
Expert's answer:
Unfortunately I haven't found any information about a public russian banya in Pochaev.lou asks: Is this area (Kramatorsk) under control of the Kiev government or the "rebels", i.e. is it safe to travel to it from Odessa.
Expert's answer:
Kramatorsk is under control of Ukrainian officials, but it is located relatively close to the conflict zone, so there are certain risks.Timothy asks: Is it safe for Americans to travel to this city?
Expert's answer:
As of October 29, 2015, the city of Gorlovka is not under control of Ukrainian officials. That's why it is not recommended to visit it, because there are no guarantees of safety. This applies especially to foreigners.Graham asks: How long can I keep my British vehicle in Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
You will be able to drive a car up to 10 days with the transit status.Jennifer asks: Is there a street in Mariupol by the phonetic name of Baja or Baha. I would guess the language translation would be Baxa?
Expert's answer:
Yes, in Mariupol, there is a street named in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bakha Street on Google Maps.john asks: Can you find for me the email address for the village council for Lokhovo near Mukachevo or for its chairman of the board. Thanks
Expert's answer:
I have found the contact email of Mukachevo district administration (mukrda@carpathia.gov.ua). You can use this service to automatically translate sites in Ukrainian/Russian.
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