I am working in Ukraine once again. Australia officially listed Ukraine as a ‘Do Not Travel’ country due to the significant risk of armed conflict, following Russia’s ongoing military hostilities along Ukraine’s borders.

There are currently over 120,000 Russian soldiers, alongside armored vehicles and aircraft, amassed close by to the Ukrainian border. When I read this news I worried for my friends throughout Ukraine. You may have seen in the news the self-made Ukrainian militia taking impromptu shooting and self-defense courses to protect their homes from an invasion.

I am not saying this to fearmonger, it may very well turn out that pressure and scrutiny on Russia will encourage them to back down. However, this is the situation that is currently happening in Ukraine that has listed the country as a “Do Not Travel” country. I felt compelled to come here, again without significant commercial support from local media in Australia, despite the situation.