I find myself really wanting to go to Ukraine...

It would seem to me that going there could add additional strain on the infrastructure. A better way to actually support them is by donating to local and national support group, not necessarily going there unless you’re planning to be actually providing field, hospital or humanitarian support.

Even though a brief visit to L'viv is likely to be safe, most (if not all) insurance policies would be void if you travel in Ukraine, even if you have issues that have nothing to do with the war. This reason alone would make me think twice about going there.

Dave, your arrival in Lviv will be well received by the local populace. For accommodations, Booking.com is alive and well in Ukraine, and it isnt terribly difficult to find a tour guide with a car, and the trains are running more or less on schedule (although you will need a bit of help getting tickets). A very interesting tour would be in through Hungary and out through Poland. As inexpensive of a trip as it is, do take more $$$ than you need and do shop and dine and shop and dine till its all gone. People will be appreciative of the opportunity to work for income. More information is here: https://visitukraine.today/

I would love to visit Ukraine when it is safe. I'm not sure how closely you are following the conflict, but Ruzzia is still targeting all the major cities of Ukraine with missiles and drones, a couple of weeks ago Lviv was hit and several people were killed, this week it is Odesa who is getting attacked, today its historic Cathedral was significantly damaged.

At this point, I think the best to balance between safety and supporting Ukraine as a tourist is visiting/spending money in neighboring countries that have been the most supportive of Ukrainian people and military. Here is a good list - https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303450/bilateral-aid-to-ukraine-in-a-percent-of-donor-gdp/

Mr E, out of curiosity, did you end up making your trip to Ukraine this year? How was your experience? I recall you were soliciting a travel partner for the trip a few months back.

Yes Mr. E, please tell us if you made it to the Ukraine & how was your trip?? You could just add a post here, less controversial since you didn't start the thread and clearly we're interested!! (PS, NO plans to travel there yet, but would love to hear your experiences...)

I was going to say the same as Balso to carefully check your insurance. Most have clauses regarding acts of war.

From the Ukraine website https://welcomeukraine.today/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn_OlBhDhARIsAG2y6zNnWL4ogX7qJP6ZzPFkbhosJViGBbMbzHwmEc7XIB6bsOaGisnFTSUaAnmMEALw_wcB

For your safety and to ensure a peaceful and comfortable stay in the
country, we, Welcome Ukraine Today, strongly recommend obtaining
medical insurance with coverage for military risks.

This medical insurance will provide you with access to quality medical
assistance, including emergency medical services and evacuation if
needed. In the event that you find yourself in a situation related to
armed conflict or any military risks, you will have coverage for
medical services and guaranteed assistance in dangerous situations.

It would seem to me that going there could add additional strain on
the infrastructure. A better way to actually support them is by
donating to local and national support group, not necessarily going
there unless you’re planning to be actually providing field, hospital
or humanitarian support.

That's what makes intuitive sense, but it is diametrically opposed to what people in Lviv say in the videos I watched. They say it is an encouragement to have tourists there. Tourism played a significant role in Lviv's economy pre-war, and that sector of the economy is now limited largely to intra-Ukraine tourism (which itself is limited by the war).

Oh, Dave, yes. Right now isn’t the right time for me, but it wouldn’t take much change. I watch the situation carefully and talk to my friend there about when the time is right so I am ready to move quickly. But I wouldn’t go alone.

I arrived in Budapest with Kyiv hotel reservations and Ukrainian train tickets in hand. Very dear friends in Kyiv helped in the arrangment of everything. We were both looking forward to it. A few days prior to my starting the trip my friends in Kyiv called a little panicked. Some situations had changed and they "wished" I would put the trip off temporarily A few weeks later they came and visited me in Budapest and stayed on in Budapest after I returned to the States. The train tickets are changable so we plan again.

I talk on a daily basis with aquaintances in Odesa, Lviv and Kyiv and i get the news feeds on the war because I worry about my friends, and the future of the world to be quite honest. Nothing wrong with making the trip if you do it fully informed. You will do a lot of good for them if you do.

As for the comment on the insurance. It is not just recommended, it is a requirement (unless somehthing has changed in the last 60 days). Has been a requirement for years and on every trip, they did check.

No way would I go now. Putin is desperate and who knows what he decides to do next.

Thanks for the update Mr E, could you share what circumstances alarmed your friends in Ukraine so much that they requested you not come?

Interesting about the insurance. On our trips to Ukraine (last one was in fall of 2019) we’ve never been asked if we had health insurance.

I wasn't asked in 2018 when I crossed the land border from Hungary. I've never been asked about insurance coverage anywhere in Europe. I have a copy of my insurance card buried in my suitcase, but that proves nothing.

Dave,
I don’t want to visit war torn Ukraine but I’m very happy to visit Poland next spring on a Rick Steves tour. For two reasons: Poland has been a generous supporter of Ukrainian refugees and two, the tour features Ukrainian food on one of the restaurant meals.