Demonstration and march dedicated to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army

According to www.reactor.org.ua, the website of “autonomous right-wing groups,” a demonstration and march dedicated to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, in Kyiv.  According to the website, participants will assemble at 20:00 at Taras Shevchenko Park.  The groups and/or individuals expected to participate in these demonstrations are alleged to have ties to other Ukrainian extremist and ultra-nationalist groups.  All of these groups are often associated with skinhead groups and/or individuals involved in hate crimes against ethnic and religious minorities.

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Ukraine from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possible escalate into violence.  American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website (http://kyiv.usembassy.gov), and the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website (www.travel.state.gov), where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found.  The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

American citizens who need to contact the U.S. Embassy may do so during working hours by calling the American Citizen Service unit at 38-044-490-4000 or the main Embassy telephone number at 38-044-490-4000.  The Embassy Duty Officer may be reached after hours via this same number.

Embassy of the United States of America
10 Yuriy Kotsyubynsky Street
01901 Kyiv, Ukraine

Consular Section
6 Mykola Pymonenko Street
01901 Kyiv, Ukraine