Fans from Switzerland were afraid to go to Kyiv
Swiss football club Young Boys, who will play Dynamo Kyiv today, has issued a special memo for its fans on how to behave and what to expect in the Ukrainian capital, where the match will take place, reports Strana, citing the NewsOne television channel.
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It is noted that few Swiss fans came.
“Perhaps the small number of fans is due to the memo that the official Young Boys fan club issued for its fans. In it, the Swiss not only recommended their fans not to go to Ukraine, but rather scared them,” says the publication, which provides excerpts from instructions to Swiss fans..
About security
The political climate in Ukraine is very tense and future developments are uncertain. The situation cannot be ruled out worse.
Travel to certain areas of the country is not recommended. In riots and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces beginning on February 18, 2014, many people were killed or injured.
Violent clashes cannot be ruled out across the country. For example, an explosion with fatalities and injuries on February 22, 2015 in Kharkov.
You should be extremely careful in public places and, if possible, avoid large crowds and demonstrations of any kind, as violent clashes are possible.
About roads
Outside cities, the condition of roads often leaves much to be desired. The unpredictable behavior of many road users creates an additional risk of accidents.
About the police
Most Ukrainian police do not speak a foreign language. Remain patient, formalities may take several hours.
About laws
Special laws prohibit drunk driving. You may be severely punished.
Drug offenses (any type of drug) are punishable by a prison term of five to ten years. Prison conditions are much worse than in Switzerland.
About medicine
Medical care is limited to basic only. Serious illnesses and injuries must be treated abroad. Hospitals require financial guarantees before they treat patients (credit cards or down payment).
It is possible that unofficial payment may be required.
About crime
As a result of the difficult economic situation, the number of petty crimes is increasing. Do not carry valuables (watches, jewelry, etc.) and only carry a small amount of cash. Be especially careful on public transport and at train stations.
About LGBT
Homosexuality is legal in Ukraine, but is largely viewed negatively by society.
About Kiev
Ukrainian weather, and especially the temperature, is pleasant in the warm summer. Kyiv is the capital with about 2,9 million people, it is the largest city in Ukraine.
Because of the numerous churches and monasteries and their importance for Orthodox Christianity, Kyiv has also been called the Jerusalem of the East since the Middle Ages.
About transport
Even without luggage, you will have to walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes to passport control at Boryspil airport.
You can get from Boryspil airport to the city by bus (number 322) for 50 hryvnia. The cost of a taxi ride is much higher, five to ten times more expensive than a bus.
Getting around the city by metro is fast and cheap. Special tokens are required, which can be purchased at metro stations. We recommend that you always have 2- or 10-hryvnia bills available. Because the machines only accept these bills, and the cash registers are not always open.
About Ukrainian fans
The “ultra” fans of the Dynamo club are considered especially ardent. They have been known to engage in violence and racism in the past. The latter is a big problem in Ukraine, and especially in the country's football stadiums.
We recommend that you do not display club symbols in the city on the day of the match, but use them directly at the game only in large groups, but not alone.
Read also: "You could be killed, blown up, robbed": The State Department instructs tourists before traveling to Ukraine.
Swiss fans were afraid to travel to Kyiv.