UKRAINE
The war in Ukraine enters its third full year with no immediate prospect of resolution. In 2025, the country remains at war with Russia, although the front line has stabilised in some sectors. The heaviest fighting is concentrated in the east (Donetsk, Luhansk) and southern regions (Zaporizhzhia, Kherson).
Despite the war, some areas remain functional and relatively safe for foreigners (Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, etc.), provided strict precautions are observed:
Avoid strategic infrastructure,
Refrain from travelling at night or joining public gatherings,
Register with local authorities.
Major cities in the west operate relatively normally, though occasional power, heating, or water cuts persist. Ukraine’s air defence system has been reinforced and protects certain urban zones effectively, especially the capital.
By contrast, areas near the front line are extremely dangerous, due to:
Continuous Russian shelling,
Ground fighting,
Presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance,
Risk of abduction or death in poorly prepared missions.
The massive influx of Western arms since 2022 has raised growing concerns:
Some light weapons and explosives are fuelling the regional black market,
Organised crime networks are smuggling these weapons into Europe,
Traceability of equipment remains incomplete despite allies’ efforts.
European intelligence services are monitoring this closely, raising concerns over post-conflict security.
President Volodymyr Zelensky retains strong popular support, but his government faces:
Criticism over post-war management in liberated areas,
Growing social fatigue, especially in bombed regions,
Tensions with certain allies over the direction of upcoming reforms.
Municipal authorities play a key role in hosting displaced persons and supporting reconstruction, but financial resources remain limited.
Kyiv, Lviv, and western Ukraine can be visited with caution for diplomatic, humanitarian, or media missions under supervision.
All areas east of the Dnipro River and near Belarus or Crimea are strictly off-limits. The situation remains volatile: missile strikes, drone attacks, or border escalations may occur without warning.