Information about Estonians in Ukraine

Another sixty-six citizens have informed us that they are currently still in Ukraine. Twenty-two of them have notified us about their decision to stay. Several Estonian journalists are also in Ukraine. Forty-four Estonian persons want to leave the country. Many of them are already travelling by train towards Ukraine’s western border. The number of people who have been able to cross the border to neighbouring countries is growing daily.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly forwards information about the various possibilities to those wishing to leave, using text messages, e-mail, or telephone. We ask all Estonian citizens who are currently in Ukraine and want to leave, let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know and regularly check their e-mails and phones, if possible. The situation is volatile and chances to leave may come and go rapidly, thus information may come at short notice.

Today, the last bus that also takes Estonian citizens, is about the depart for Lviv. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the bus and we are cooperating with our Latvian colleagues. The bus with our people will arrive in Riga today, where they will be met by another two buses from Estonia, arranged by their families and friends. Train schedules can be found here.

We ask Estonian citizens still in Ukraine to leave as soon as possible and return to Estonia. In light of Russia’s military aggression, we advise against all travel to Ukraine. If you have decided to go to Ukraine despite the state of war, please note that the possibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide assistance are limited.

We ask all Estonian citizens in Ukraine to register their stay on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage or by telephone: +372 5301 9999. Please do not wait for evacuation, at present Estonian citizens should leave Ukraine on their own. Ukraine’s airspace is closed; please use land transport heading towards the west. Our recommendation is to choose a member state of the European Union for crossing the border.