I was planning to go to Kiev until I read a bunch of news items documenting in the last two years how there have been a spate of violent attacks on people in Kiev, particularly students from Africa, China, India, Middle East, etc. And also about growing groups of Neo-Nazis roaming the streets. Basically attacking anybody of colour. Is this overblown? Is it safe or not?
I'm sure that if you head for New York, London, Paris, Berlin etc. etc. etc. then, if you go in the wrong places, you'll find far more trouble than you ever would in Kiev.
But who wants to read about trouble in New York, London, Paris, Berlin etc? Nobody's interested in reading that!
Newby: Assuming you are "Of Colour" from reading you post, let me put it this way. There is groups all over the FSU who are keen to see if a black man bleeds blood or ink. Given that you are halfways clued in, you are unlikely to strike those types in the mainstream areas.
i'm pretty sure you would be safe but would also stand out. depends where you go. the only man 'of colour' that i saw in over two months in kyiv was carl cox in a nightclub! and that night my girl olya said something like "wow... he really is that colour!"
Newby
My wife who is from Kiev, but lived in NZ last 3 years, says its OK.
I spent 3 weeks in SPB (Saint Petersburg) in 2004. The bar manager at the Hotel I stayed at was Indian, and he ended up guiding me around the city and generally was of great help to me. He was an absolute Romeo with the ladies, would approach any of them. But at night he was very nervous in certain areas of the central city. SPB did have a problem, and it might be worse or better now, and I am sure the occasional problem has happened in Kiev, but from what we know from friends and family, it is not a major problem.
Newby- Kiev is along way to travel to get yourself a White woman. If that is what you are determined to get though you would be better going to America or u.k as it is well known fact that there are some desperate white women scared off being left on the shelf that will throw themselves into the arms of Any black man that shows interest towards them.
I have not seen any Skinheads during my last trip to Kiev in August. I also read many reports about attacks on people of color including killings. I can send you the web site of all these attacks which are tracked on a daily basis by a Jewish group. In any case use common sense, if you stand out don't walk alone at night, be aware of your surroundings and don't let anyone get close to you, for example walk behind you. Be careful if you approach a group of young men and they start spitting, it's a sign! Just be careful as people in general are becoming less friendly because of the many sex tourists they get. Good luck!
Where in Newby's post does it say his race/ethnicity??? You are all assuming he is black, I guess.
A 'man of color'?....that could mean a lot of things.....in summer,I am a man of very dark color!!!
My friends in Odessa refer to non-white as darkies. Makes me wonder if I am a darkie too. What if you are an in between shade, like medium brown, what are you??? Are you a man of light color?
Since when is white not a color?? :))