"Traces of the war"

Travel agencies advertise vacations in Ukraine

What seems macabre is not a joke. Some tourism companies are offering vacations in war-torn Ukraine, from Kiev to Kherson. Entry is possible by train and bus. If you want, you can walk in the "footsteps of war". Bulletproof vests and "war risk insurance" are recommended.

Honestly, could you reconcile this "vacation" with your conscience? Despite the Russian invasion, occupation of large areas, missile attacks, martial law, curfews and thousands of deaths, resourceful travel agencies are advertising vacations in Ukraine.

The country's borders are largely open. It is possible for foreigners to enter the country via Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary or Romania. Coaches travel to Kiev from Frankfurt or Berlin, for example, and trains from Warsaw - almost without interruption since the start of the war.

Tourist tours are also offered. Only flying is no longer possible, reports the news channel ntv. The UN Commission for Human Rights estimates that 8,000 civilians have been killed since the invasion began.

App recommended that informs about air alerts
The information for foreigners on the homepage of "visitukraine.today" is therefore anything but ordinary. In addition to the "best winter excursions in Ukraine" and city tours, one section of the site explains how foreigners can join the International Legion to fight for the country, according to ntv. An app is recommended that provides information about air alerts. Bulletproof vests, "war risk insurance" and hotels with power generators are also recommended.

Screenshots from the vacation provider:

"Well-developed tourist infrastructure" available
There is a "well-developed tourist infrastructure", particularly in the west of Ukraine. The aim is to avoid exposing the inhabitants of war-torn regions. "All profits from the sale of the tours go to Ukrainian refugees," says "visitukraine.today". Hotels can even be booked cheaply in the capital Kiev or in the recently liberated Kherson. In 2022, over two million foreigners are expected to have crossed the border into Ukraine.

The state does not support these vacation offers. Advertising for tourism offers in the country will have to wait until after the end of the war and reconstruction, they say.