War tourism is thriving in Ukraine, with many people travelling to the war-torn country to see the devastation for themselves, while a growing number of people venture close to the front lines to hear the explosions and gunfire. But war is not a tourist attraction, it has destroyed the lives of millions.

Ukraine has been at war for two years, and in recent months the country has seen a boom in war tourism. One of the „most popular” destinations is the town of Bucha, which was once the scene of devastating fighting.

Exactly one year ago the most epic battle in the war in Ukraine took place. Russian VDV in Hostomel were preparing to “victoriously” march into Kyiv. But in Bucha AFU was waiting for them and delivered absolute carnage.
This was the moment I knew that Ukraine will win.#Ukraine pic.twitter.com/lr4tyfPaQU

— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) February 27, 2023

Disaster tourism gained momentum after countless images of the country appeared on social media. The cost of such a trip is around €250, and several companies are organising tours that include English-language guides. The companies also guarantee that visitors will be able to talk to locals and that they will only travel on „safe routes”. Devastated locations are targeted, for example to hear explosions or take photos for Instagram.

Some go to Ukraine under the pretense of providing humanitarian aid, while in fact, instead of bringing real aid, they just want to see the war for themselves. As far back as August 2022, Business Insider reported on a company that was organising tours specifically to show what life is like in war. At that time, more than two hundred tours had already been booked.

🇺🇦🇷🇺| #ÚLTIMAHORA Una unidad de las Fuerzas Aerotransportadas Rusas (VDV) fue completamente aniquilada en emboscada efectuada por Fuerzas Especiales de Ucrania en Bucha. Decenas de militares rusos abatidos y blindados destruidos se aprecian en las imágenes https://t.co/41O1RMPb6k pic.twitter.com/kZkqIm35aY

— WEB INFOMIL.COM (@Webinfomil) March 3, 2022

The organisers inform those signing up for the tour that will see shelled buildings, bomb debris and destroyed military equipment, and also to be prepared for active landmines and air raids.

Spent the day examining the remains of a Russian AFV and abandoned fighting positions with @IntEOD and @OfficialSOLI near #Bucha. Impossible to put into words the scars of war observed here. pic.twitter.com/lmAcCSHfuU

— Stu M (@SM_EOD) February 25, 2023

War, however, is not a tourist attraction and has ruined the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the past year. Many homes have been destroyed, millions have fled the country and air raid alerts continue across Ukraine.

Lviv’s central railway station.
The first thing that this wounded, but indomitable, warrior saw upon his return home was his family.
The first thing he heard was the sound of an air raid siren.
The ninth year of russia’s war on Ukraine continues.
We are staying strong. pic.twitter.com/VWRmWdBUD6

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 20, 2022

The stream of funerals never ends with the loss of life in the hundreds of thousands .

Muy fuerte… En el cementerio de Bucha, norte de Kiev, el adiós a Nikola, soldado voluntario muerto a los 24 años en el Donbass para defender a 🇺🇦 #UkraineUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/pwTLEemCWK

— Elisabetta Piqué (@bettapique) February 25, 2023