Whether or not you want to travel to Ukraine, there are a few things you should know before you go. One of these is that you should be aware of the crime rate. In addition to this, you should also be aware of the air quality, cost of living, and the legality of homosexuality in Ukraine.
Crime in Ukraine
The crime rate in Ukraine is still fairly high. However, you can stay safe in Ukraine. Here are a few travel tips to help you keep yourself and your belongings out of harm’s way.
The most obvious crime in Ukraine is theft. You have to be careful about where you store your belongings. For example, don’t carry your wallet in public.
It’s also important to watch out for credit card fraud. These scams are common in Ukraine. Beware of anyone who asks you to show them your credit cards. If you’re unsure, just show them your ID.
There is also a lot of money scams going on. Avoid using ATMs in public places. Instead, use bank branches.
Street crime is prevalent in Ukraine. Vehicle break-ins are also a risk. A good rule of thumb is to never leave any valuables unattended.
While it’s hard to know exactly what to expect when traveling to Ukraine, the most important thing to do is to be safe. Do your research, stay alert, and monitor local media for breaking news.
In addition, it’s wise to carry your passport with you at all times. Make sure to have a valid travel document ready to show a police officer. Keep a list of emergency numbers in your wallet.
It’s also worth mentioning that while Ukraine is one of the safest countries in the world, you should be wary of scams. This includes a lot of nonsense, such as getting a cab ride to the airport.
Another safety tip is to avoid walking on the streets. This is because you are at higher risk for robbery and burglary. Also, don’t forget to check with the local government before you travel.
Air quality in Ukraine
The World Health Organisation ranks Ukraine as the country with the highest burden of disease from ambient air pollution in Europe. This report cited 2,538 disability adjusted life years per 100,000 people.
To determine the level of pollution in Kyiv, the study analyzed atmospheric air monitoring data. It also compared satellite data for all criteria pollutants. These included NO2, CO, SO2, PM2.5 and O3.
The most polluted area was Kaunasska street, located near Vatslava Havela Boulevard. However, Demiivska Square, Shuliavka subway station, Akademika Strazheska and Popudrenka streets were not as polluted.
An increase in SO2 concentrations is observed in 2021. In eastern Ukraine, forest fires are common during the summer. Similarly, peak O3 levels are reported in early spring.
The first six weeks of war resulted in a dramatic increase in pollution levels. The air quality in Kyiv deteriorated substantially.
A large number of people fled the city. Many hid in underground shelters. Others escaped to other parts of the country. Several areas were hit by hundreds of Russian airstrikes.
The Ukrainian air quality monitoring system was old and degraded. Airstrikes caused significant changes in the composition of air pollution.
Coal-fired power plants, which are constantly pumping dust into the air, are the main source of air pollution. Using PurpleAir sensor data, the study investigated how the air quality changed during the first six weeks of war.
In addition to determining the extent of air quality in Kyiv, the study investigated the effect of war on the environment. It also analyzed the impact of war on the economy of Ukraine. The results showed that the country’s economy will take a big hit.
The highest concentrations of all the criteria pollutants were found in the northwestern part of the city. Almost all of the population was exposed to pollution levels that exceeded the acceptable limits.
Landmines in Ukraine
Landmines in Ukraine pose a significant threat to civilians. After eight years of conflict, the Luhansk region of Ukraine is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
The United States has committed to providing $89 million to help Ukraine clear landmines. This money will be distributed to contractors to train locals to demolish landmines.
A senior U.S. defense official told reporters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation in Ukraine. He also said Ukrainian military personnel have cleared some Russian anti-personnel land mines in the suburbs of Kyiv.
Landmines in Ukraine continue to kill people and contaminate areas. Experts say it could take decades to clear the country of all its mines.
Most contaminated areas are in the vicinity of roads and border checkpoints. Some civilian areas are contaminated as well.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, at least 160,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory may have been contaminated by landmines. That includes 10% of Ukraine’s farmlands.
The Ukrainian government estimates that at least 80% of casualties are civilians. However, many of those killed or injured may go unrecorded. Moreover, the winter season compounds the long-term dangers for civilians.
Ukrainian officials have accused both the DPR and LPR militias of laying mines. They also claim that Russian forces are hiding explosives in toys.
The HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearing organization, is working to remove landmines in eastern Ukraine. Its goal is to ensure that everyone can return home.
The Ukrainian Government has not signed the Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use of landmines. In May 2009, Ukraine presented a proposal to the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction in Geneva.
Cost of living in Ukraine
If you’re considering a move to Ukraine, it’s a good idea to look into the cost of living. It’s not necessarily that expensive, but it’s not that cheap either. Here’s a quick guide on the basics.
The average salary in Ukraine is around $500 to $600 per month. While it’s not enough to buy an apartment, it’s enough to live on. A couple’s monthly expenses will be about 658 (USD), and a family of four will need about 1565.
The cost of living in Ukraine isn’t that cheap, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Compared to many European countries, the average income isn’t too low, and you can still afford a decent apartment in Ukraine’s capital city.
One of the most important expenses is housing. Unless you are lucky, you’ll have to shell out a pretty penny to rent a place in Ukraine’s major cities. This can be a problem for foreigners, though.
Renting a one bedroom flat in Kiev starts from about 7,000 hryvnias per month, while a two-bedroom unit can cost upwards of UAH2500. You’ll also have to make a deposit. In fact, landlords usually ask you to put up two months’ worth of rent before you can even move in.
Transportation is also a big deal in Ukraine. Even a small vehicle will cost you at least 167 USD a month. However, public transportation is inexpensive. For a single person, the cost of a metro ticket is a mere 0.4 – 0.7 USD.
It’s not just the price that matters, but the quality of the facilities as well. Health care and utilities can be a nightmare in Ukraine. Private health care is usually better, but the government health system isn’t great.
Legality of homosexuality in Ukraine
It is a sad fact that the legality of homosexuality in Ukraine has yet to be fully established. Historically, the political attitudes of the country have been hostile towards the LGBT community. However, with the 2014 Maidan revolution, the LGBT movement gained some momentum.
There are many factors that influence the legality of homosexuality in Ukraine. The first is societal prejudice. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 69 percent of Ukrainians do not accept gay relationships.
Secondly, the country has a long history of violence against the LGBTQ community. Many of the attacks are perpetrated by both police and military personnel. But the most significant factor is the lack of legal rights. While the Ukrainian constitution guarantees equal rights and freedoms, it does not provide protection for the LGBTQ community.
Finally, there is a strong cultural element to this problem. Despite decades of democratic evolution in Ukraine, the LGBT+ community still faces discrimination.
Recently, a petition requesting the legalization of same-sex marriage was presented to the president of Ukraine. Over 25,000 people signed the petition. The petition will be reviewed by the president, and could be passed to parliament for a debate.
This is an important moment for the LGBT+ community. While it is unclear whether the president will actually act on the petition, the fact that such a large group of citizens has been mobilized to support the issue shows that it has become an important political issue.
Unfortunately, the Zelensky administration has made little progress on the issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, he has even begun to curtail the country’s human rights support for the LGBTQ+ community.