Welcome to the euromost.info Ukraine directory

The euromost.info's Ukraine Travel Guide. With general info on: the national tourist board & local city tourist boards, EU status, currency & weather, low cost airlines offering bargain or cheap European flights and International Airlines flying to Kiev airport. Also details of the Ukrainian Rail Network and main coach services, sources of Consular advice and Travel Warnings where given. The Ukraine Country Profile includes details of its economy, history, population & religion. The Kiev City Break Guide includes info on the main sightseeing places attractions, clubs, accommodation and hotels. Kiev is one of 39 Euromost cities.

Ukraine History

The Ukrainian people originally were Eastern Slavs. In the 19th century the eastern Ukraine was controlled by the Russian Empire and western Ukraine by the Hapsburg Empire. After the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the collaspe of the Hapsburg Empire a year later Ukrainian Nationalists made several unsuccesful attempts to establish an independent state 'Ukrainia' and by 1921 the western area had become part of Poland, whilst the east was part of the Soviet Union. The spirit of 'Ukrainia' survived even when Stalin repeatedly tried to surpress it, through artificial famines. In 1932 -33  one of these famines is thought to have killed over 5 million people.

During World War Two, the Ukrainians desire for independence was illustrated by their fighting the Third Reich and the Russians. The end of the war saw  the unification of  the regions of east and west Ukraine as 'The Ukraine'   under the control of the Soviet Union. The new stautus did not quell their  desire for freedom that was reinforced in 1986 when one of the nuclear reactors at Chernobyl exploded which many viewed  the Soviet government failed to prevent or respond to afterwards.

In 1991 the attempted coup in Moscow gave the Ukrainian Parliament the opportunity to declare Ukraine's Independence, which was ratified by  90% of Ukrainians in a referendum later that year.  In 1994 Leonid Kuchma became President after campaigning for economic reform and improving the Ukraine's relationship with Moscow. During his presidency he unsuccesfully sought to increase his powers as president and was reportedly involved in the dissapearance  of an investigative journalist Georgly Gongadze who's headless body was found in November 2000. These events weakened the Kuchma presidency and his appointed Primeminister Yushchenko was later forced to resign in April 2001.

The Orange Revolution

Contributions As a resident of this city or as a visitor you can make contributions to help us improve this country page. More

Contributions As a resident of this city or as a visitor you can make contributions to help us improve this country page. More

Ukraine Tourist Travel

Road Travel In The Ukraine

To drive in the Ukraine you must possess a valid International Driving Licence.

Roads conditions in the Ukraine are generally fair though in some rural areas they can be very poor. The standard of driving is not high and accidents are common. Seat Belts must be worn at all timesin the front seats. Childen under 12 or 145 cm in height are not llowed to travel in the front seats. Dipped headlights should be used during the day when visibilty is poor.

The Ukraine Police have in recent years developed a reputation for singleing out foreign motorist who commit road traffic offences. They enforce the country policy of a zero tolerance of drink driving without exception. Motorists should be aware that The British Embassy in Kiev also has noted that some drivers stopped for driving offences are asked to pay on the spot fines by individual police officers. This practice is illegal as fines can only imposed by a court to which the police will direct you. You have 15 days to pay any fine imposed. If you encounter any such problems you should phone: The Ministry of Internal Affairs: Helpline: (8044) 256 1675 or the Duty Tel No: (8044) 256 1002/4/ Alternatively you may ring: Department of Traffic Police: Helpline: (8044) 272 4659 or
the Duty Tel: (8044) 272 3660. The police are not allowed to take any driving documents from you.

Several euromost motorists have emailed us saying that when they have approached the Ukraine Police for assistance they are actually very helpful - so hopefully the problems referred to above are not wholly representative of the Ukraine police.

Drivers should be aware that in the Ukraine Speed limits are generally applied at six levels. In residential areas the limit is 20 KPH. In towns and built up areas it is 60 KPH. Outside built areas on normal roads it is 90 KPH. On major roads including dual carriageways it is 110 KPH. On motorways it is 130 KPH. Note: Drivers who have held a licence for less than two years are not allowed to exceed 70 KPH on roads where a higher limit applies. Some of the motorway service stations offers excellent facilities including showers.

Road Travel In The Ukraine In The Winter.

During the winter the Ukraine suffers from very severe weather conditions heavy snow and extremely cold temperatures - see the Kiev City Guide These conditions can occur between October and April. Motorists travelling in Estonia during the winter are advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting out. They are also advised to carry mobile phones for use in an emergency along with emergency supplies of food and warm drinks especially if they are going on a long journey. Winter tyres / snow chains should be fitted to vehicles.

Air Travel In The Ukraine

Some airlines based in the Ukraine are occasionally banned from European Union Air Space for not meeting the EU standards for aircraft maintenance. Before you fly on a Ukrainian airline on a local you check whether it is on EU blacklist. which is given on the euromost airline routefinder and blacklisted airline page.