Disaster tourism is booming in Ukraine, with many people travelling to the war-torn country to see the devastation with their own eyes. Moreover, an increasing number of people are venturing close to the front line to hear explosions and gunfire. War, however, is not a tourist attraction; it has already ruined the lives of hundreds of thousands.

The war in Ukraine has been raging for a year, and war tourism has been on the rise in recent months. One of the most „popular” destinations is the town of Bucha, which had earlier been the scene of fierce battles.

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 took off after countless photos were circulated around the world thanks to the media, Remix writes based on Business Insider. According to the latter paper, the cost of such a trip is around €250. Companies also guarantee an English-speaking guide and conversations with the local population, and emphasize that visitors only travel using “safe routes.”

“Usually they come alone, sometimes hitchhiking,” said Jakub Stasiak, a journalist and volunteer currently in Ukraine.

“They go to destroyed places, for example, to hear explosions and take a photo for Instagram,”

he added.

In his opinion, “this is incredibly stupid, but still attracts people who like adrenaline.” He added that some people come under the pretext of providing humanitarian aid but they don’t bring real help, just token supplies. “They’ll bring a pack of diapers, but what they really want to see is the war with their own eyes,” said Stasiak.

Business Insider reported back in August also that a travel company was inviting tourists to visit Ukraine and see what it’s like to live in the midst of war. At that time, the company booked more than 200 tours.

🇺🇦🇷🇺| El #3Mar 2022, una unidad de las Fuerzas Aerotransportadas Rusas fue completamente aniquilada en emboscada efectuada por Fuerzas Especiales de Ucrania en Bucha. Decenas de militares rusos abatidos y blindados fueron destruidos. pic.twitter.com/2yqlq4t77P

— Saverio Vivas – PDC Colombia (@SaverioVivas2) February 24, 2023

The site says that people who sign up for the tours will be able to see shelled buildings, bomb debris, and destroyed military equipment. Travellers still could face risks of active land mines 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 Miller (@SM_EOD) February 25, 2023

The war, however, is not a tourist attraction; it has ruined the lives of hundreds of thousands in the past year. A huge number of homes have been destroyed, millions fled the country, and air raids are an everyday occurrence 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

Funerals are are constantly being held one after the other, as hundreds of thousands of people have already died in the war.

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