Avoid rebel-held Ukraine

The US Department of State warns against all travel to Crimea and the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine. Russian-allied separatists continue to control areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where violent clashes have resulted in over 9,000 deaths. 

Artillery and rocket attacks near the line of contact continue to occur regularly, and there have been multiple casualties due to land mines in areas previously controlled by the Russian-led separatists. 

Individuals, including US citizens, have been threatened, detained or kidnapped for hours or days after being stopped at separatist checkpoints. The government of Ukraine has stated that any foreigner who attempts to enter Ukraine from Russia through nongovernment-controlled territory will not be allowed through checkpoints into government-controlled territory.