On 28 August, the US State Department updated its travel advice for Ukraine, maintaining the country at the fourth and highest risk level, Level 4: Do Not Travel. Americans are urged not to travel due to the war and the threat of Russian missile and drone attacks, whilst US citizens already in the country are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice should the situation deteriorate.
Briefly about the main points
- Ukraine remains at the highest level of US travel warnings.
- The State Department has updated its description of military risks, but has not raised the threat level.
- Missile and drone strikes can take place far from the front line.
- Americans in Ukraine are advised to have an evacuation plan that is independent of the authorities.
- The embassy is open, but the options for assistance and departure are limited.
The alert level has not been changed
Ukraine continues to hold the status of Level 4: Do Not Travel — the highest of the four levels in the US Travel Advisory system. This status constitutes a safety recommendation, not a specific ban on travel.
The State Department clarified that it had not raised the alert level as part of the update. The department revised the description of the risks associated with the armed conflict and the general summary of advice for US citizens.
Strikes also pose a threat to regions behind the front line
The State Department warns that Russian missiles and drone attacks are not only taking place near the front line. Americans are advised to respond to air-raid sirens, seek shelter immediately and know in advance where the nearest safe place is.
According to the department’s assessment, the security situation may change rapidly. The US Embassy in Kyiv is unable to send real-time alerts about air threats to American civilians, so they are advised to monitor alerts themselves, in particular via the Air Raid Siren app and Map of Alarms.
You should plan your departure without counting on US assistance
US citizens in Ukraine should be prepared to leave immediately, with virtually no notice, should the security situation deteriorate sharply. Their contingency plan should not rely on assistance from the US government.
The State Department recommends keeping documents to hand, monitoring announcements from local authorities and the media, arranging in advance how to contact relatives or your employer, and registering with the STEP system to receive updates from the embassy.
Americans who also hold Ukrainian citizenship will be treated as Ukrainian citizens in Ukraine. They must use a Ukrainian passport to enter and leave the country; men aged between 23 and 60 may be subject to restrictions on leaving the country and potential mobilisation.
The embassy’s operations and travel options are limited
The US Embassy in Kyiv remains open, but the movements and activities of its staff are restricted due to the security situation. US civil servants require special permission to travel outside Kyiv, and their family members are not permitted to join them in Ukraine.
The closure of airspace makes it difficult to leave the country quickly. The State Department advises travellers to plan possible evacuation routes in advance and to check their insurance cover, particularly with regard to medical expenses and evacuation costs.
