Ukraine

Recommended Vaccinations For Ukraine

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated people, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in the province of Volyn or where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) during early spring to late autumn.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Ukraine

There are no recommendations for Ukraine at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Ukraine

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Ukraine through contaminated food or water. 

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Ukraine.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Ukraine are at significant risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in some areas of this country. The main affected areas are in the province of Volyn. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Ukraine

Personal Safety

Ukraine remains an active war zone since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Conflict-related violence killed 968 civilians and injured 4,807 between December 2024 and May 2025, representing a 37% increase compared to the previous year. Russian forces continue missile and drone attacks across the country, including in areas far from the frontline. In September 2024 alone, over 1,500 civilian casualties were reported. The war has created significant security challenges beyond direct combat, including unidentified persons recruiting children via social media to commit acts of sabotage against Ukrainian targets. Domestic violence cases surged by 80% in 2024 compared to 2023, with over 5,000 survivors. Traditional street crime remains moderate in major cities. Residents generally feel safer during daylight hours, though anxiety increases at night. Property crimes and corruption concerns persist in urban areas like Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, but violent crime rates are relatively low compared to the conflict-related dangers. The entire country is subject to air raid alerts, requiring immediate access to shelters. Martial law imposes curfews, movement restrictions, and increased security inspections that vary by region.

Extreme Violence

The ongoing war creates extreme violence throughout Ukraine. Russian armed forces executed at least 35 captured Ukrainian soldiers between December 2024 and May 2025, consistent with increasing executions since August 2024. Ukrainian prosecutors documented at least 147 Ukrainian prisoners executed since 2022, with nearly 90% occurring in 2024. Torture and sexual violence against prisoners of war remain widespread and systematic, with 95% of released Ukrainian POWs reporting torture or ill-treatment during Russian captivity. Russian forces struck at least five hospitals directly between December 2024 and May 2025. In 2024, attacks on medical facilities tripled compared to 2023, with 306 incidents damaging or destroying healthcare infrastructure. Attacks on educational facilities nearly doubled. Russian forces use explosive weapons with wide area effects in urban areas and deploy short-range combat drones targeting civilians. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023 caused widespread humanitarian catastrophe. Over 12,654 civilians have been killed and 29,392 injured since February 2022. Close to 55,000 Ukrainians are listed as missing, with at least 16,000 civilians among them. Russian occupation authorities in Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia commit abuses against foreigners and locals, particularly those challenging Russian occupation.

Political Unrest

Ukraine experienced its first significant anti-government protests since the war began in July 2025, when thousands gathered in Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Dnipro opposing legislation affecting anti-corruption agencies. These protests, known as the Cardboard Maidan, were largely peaceful and led to legislative changes within days, demonstrating civic engagement despite martial law. Parliament reversed controversial measures after public pressure and international criticism. Mass rallies are technically prohibited under martial law, but authorities tolerated these demonstrations. The protests consisted largely of young people inspired by the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. President Zelenskyy responded to public demands by submitting new legislation restoring agency independence. No major political unrest beyond this isolated incident has occurred during the war, as Ukrainians have generally prioritized national unity and defense. The country operates under martial law with each region implementing state of emergency measures including curfews, movement restrictions, and security inspections. Mobilization policies generate social tension, particularly regarding draft enforcement and exit restrictions for men aged 18-60. Political discourse focuses on war prosecution, EU accession, and post-war reconstruction rather than internal political divisions.

Areas To Avoid

All eastern and southern regions along the frontline are extremely dangerous and should be avoided. This includes Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and frontline areas of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions. These areas experience active combat, frequent shelling, and high civilian casualty rates. Russian-occupied territories including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia remain under occupation with extensive Russian military presence. Occupation authorities detain, interrogate, and harass foreigners, particularly U.S. and Western citizens. Areas within 50km of the Belarus border should be avoided due to Russian and Belarusian military presence. Cities like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, though under Ukrainian control, face regular Russian artillery and drone attacks, with Kherson experiencing systematic targeting of civilians. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant area poses nuclear disaster risks due to ongoing fighting. Western regions including Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, and Volyn are considered relatively safer, located approximately 1,000 kilometers from frontlines. However, Russian missiles and drones can reach any part of Ukraine, including these western areas. Kyiv experiences regular air raid alerts and missile attacks, though air defense systems provide some protection. No area in Ukraine is completely safe from aerial attacks.