The Ukrainian nationalist organization “Svoboda” will conduct a march/demonstration to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Stepan Bandera, the founder of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The march will begin at 6:00 p.m. on January 1, 2009, near the Taras Shevchenko monument in downtown Kyiv and then proceed to the Maidan via Shevchenko and Khreshchtyk boulevards. At 7:00 p.m., demonstrators will hold a rally at the Maidan . Nationalist groups such as “Svoboda” are alleged to have ties to other Ukrainian ultra-nationalist groups. All of these groups are often associated with skinhead groups and/or individuals who espouse intolerant views towards ethnic and religious minorities and have been involved in hate crimes. We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly 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 these demonstrations.For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).In the event further information is obtained regarding this or any other security or safety situation in Ukraine, the Embassy will provide updates via this same channel and on the Embassy’s web page: http://kyiv.usembassy.gov. American citizens who need to contact the Embassy may do so during working hours by calling the American Citizens Services unit at (38-044) 490-4445 or the main Embassy telephone number at (38-044) 490-4000. The Embassy’s duty officer may be reached after hours via this same number.

U.S. Embassy in Ukraine:
10, Yuriy Kotsyubynsky St.
01901 Kyiv, Ukraine
Consular Section:
6, Mykola Pymonenko St.
01901 Kyiv, Ukraine