Kiev Travel Forum

Should I be concerned about bringing a black friend to Kiev?

Dear Pupulainen,
such a pity that your hint was not very helpful for some tourist who doesn`t know and poses a question here. Why not answering in a friendly way? Even though I love Kyiv very much, I do not know the answer - but I suppose there will not be a problem for blacks as I have only experienced nice, helpul and hospitable inhabitants. Yet I am a Caucasian from Germany and this question has never arisen for me, yet it is of relevance for a great many of people. No one will doubt my love to Ukraine and Kyiv in particular (I even have married my wife with roots there), so I like to pose this question again and even stronger - please can any insider give a satisfactory answer without tending to become unobjective or embarrassed?

Yes, the question is similar. But there is reason to ask. Racism is a shame, of course, both of us see it so but still the original question (regarding blacks in Kyiv) stands without a satisfactory answer.

I wish I could say it's 100% safe for afro-americans/europeans/etc. to be in Ukraine. unfortunately, the recent sad statistics says that it is not. and though many people with different colors of skin live and enjoy their life in Kyiv, bad things do happen. but they happen everywhere. like, I felt totally safe in Gautemela despite all the robbery reports I read and heard about prior to travelling there. at the same time, a met a college girl who was attacked and robbed on her way to a Spanish class.


here is the article that you might find informative:
http://www.jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2373038

the bottom line, I don't want you to be paranoid, but I definately want you to be aware of the situation, and use common sense. make sure to register with your Embassy when you arrive.