Seriously, Ukraine is not a place to be visiting right now. It is economically unstable and there is a high level of crime in addition to power outages, problems with heating and low-level political unrest in the municipalities. A friend in Kiev was walking home one evening and some guys threw him into a car, robbed him and tossed him out, thankful to be alive, in a ditch. He came back to New York the next day.
Regional government buildings are stormed by one group or another who suspect that the local authorities are corrupt (they're probably right). Off-duty members of one of the many armed militias are earning a bad reputation as new criminals.
You should be careful not to go out alone, especially at night, and trust any local friends to know what's going on and avoid situations that could become dangerous. Don't say anything good about Russia or Putin, or Lenin or the USSR, or make any attempt to equate Ukrainian anything with Russian things. It's not that everyone is that nationalistic, but if you meet someone who is, you're better off being on the safe side.
I would not take anything from a Russian about Ukrainian seriously. Yes do not speak good of Russia while there ... but why would you be doing that anyway? Putin is trying to take over a sovereign country. There is nothing good that can be said about that.
Do have a good time and tell us what you found when you come back.
removes pin from grenade and throws
