Dealing with corrupt Ukrainian police

By n_t_99 | Feb 20, 2018
Europe > Ukraine

The first rule when travelling in Ukraine is to keep your passport with you at all times, it's the law. Not having your passport with you can serve as an excuse to corrupted police officers to get money from you. Having a photocopy or a screenshot of your passport might help, but you'll definitely be better off with your original passport.

Ukrainian police car

Ukrainian police car

At some point during your trip, you might get stopped by the police for an identity check. Unfortunately, some cops in Ukraine are corrupted and can try to get you to bribe them.

The following will increase your chances of being controlled:

* Not looking ethnically Ukrainian
* Drinking alcohol in public (it's forbidden by the law, and gives corrupted police an excuse to extort money from you)
* "Acting suspiciously"

Do you speak Russian?


Chances are that police officers speak very little English. So if you happen to not speak any Russian or Ukrainian, it will be harder for them to bribe you. Be careful though if you can actually speak some Russian, they might test your comprehension by making you react to what they say.

If you don't have your passport


If you don't have your passport on you, the police will most likely ask you to pay a fine right away, in cash. They might threaten you with a night in jail and a bigger fine on the next day. It's a delicate situation, some people will tell you to pay, others not, since they might be bluffing. Use your common sense and your instinct depending on your exact situation.

If you have your passport on you


It will be harder for the police to get money from you if you didn't cause any obvious trouble, but they might try (if they happen to be corrupted).

Corruption Europe Legal Passport Police Scams Ukraine

Share this tip:

Written by n-t-99

Thoughts? Questions?

See also

Accommodations

Tours and activities

Sheva's Original Mostar Walking Tour (Private)

Traverse over 600 years of Mostar's history, culture, and traditions. During our 2.5 hour of explorations, we will wind our way through the Old Town and venture outside the beaten path, where we will explain the more recent history, including the Wars of the 1990s and current socio-political context. Learn about our past - understand our present!

The Classic Food Tour

Fulfill your food-tasting desires by participating in a food tasting tour of Athens, specifically designed to give you an unforgettable experience! Discover the iconic Greek delicacies in a food tour taking place in the picturesque districts of Athens.