Ukraine Launches ‘Tourism’ Campaign Of ‘Picturesque’ Sites For Russian Travelers

Screenshot via RusMir

Tourists seeking a homestay with an open concept and a panoramic view might look no further than Ukraine, which now has no lack of them. However, visitors will have to come to terms with the destruction.

Right now, Russia is blocking its population from much of the internet and international press. As such, citizens are oblivious to the situation in Ukraine and have the idea that the war’s impact is being exaggerated.

Russian residents maintaining a sunny disposition amid the disorder could even google “places to travel”—and if they do, they might find themselves on a new website designed by Kyiv agency Bickerstaff.734. The site, backed by the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (SATD), resembles Airbnb’s portal and comes complete with listings for possible apartments to stay in.

As travel rental sites Airbnb and Booking.com have already checked out of Russia, internet users’ next bet might be this version that invites them to immerse in the busy sights and sounds of Ukraine.

Screenshot via RusMir

Advertisements beckon visitors to vacation in rentals with “high ceilings looking up to the sky,” balconies “open in every sense,” and spaces with “few children” around to disrupt their peace, among other deceptively attractive features.

Screenshot via RusMir

Guests may also smell smoke from their apartments—“but this is from the neighbors,” the site insists.

Screenshot via RusMir

In contrast with the postcard-worthy pictures shown on travel sites, these faux listings are far grittier and expose hard-hitting realities. Visitors who attempt to book an apartment will be directed to a Telegram bot account that shares propaganda-free information about the ongoing invasion.

[via Little Black Book and The Stable, images via RusMir]