Spring in Ukraine means the return of blooms, battles and wartime tourists

"Medved had booked himself on a 24-hour bus and train journey - including a four-hour border crossing - into Ukraine because he wanted to see what life is like during wartime in a country he has been watching and admiring since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022."

"Medved spent five days, split between Airbnb apartments in Kyiv, the capital that fends off daily attacks from Russian drones and missiles, and Lviv, the quieter western city serving as an R & R center for exhausted Ukrainian soldiers. He did not venture to the combat zone in the east where soldiers are battering each other with drones, missiles and artillery."

"Ignoring the blunt "Do Not Travel" advisories from nearly every Western government and most insurance companies, a few thousand determined travelers make their way into Ukraine each year - not to volunteer or fight or do business - to just take a look. And their numbers are climbing as domestic and even international trips rebound, making tourism more important in Ukraine's economic development plans."

"As spring arrives for the fourth time since the Russian invasion, commanders are bracing for the fighting to heat up and specialized tour guides are ready for a small but unstoppable flow of wartime tourists."

A traveler from Slovenia planned a trip to Ukraine after discussing it for a long time. He traveled by bus and train for about 24 hours, including a four-hour border crossing, and spent five days in Kyiv and Lviv. Kyiv experiences frequent drone and missile attacks, while Lviv serves as a rest and recovery center for exhausted soldiers. He avoided the eastern combat zone. As spring returns for the fourth year since the full-scale invasion, commanders expect fighting to intensify and specialized guides prepare for a steady flow of wartime tourists. Despite “Do Not Travel” advisories and insurance warnings, a few thousand visitors enter Ukraine each year mainly to observe wartime life, and tourism is increasingly important for economic development plans.

Read at The Washington Post