very brief report on Ukraine (Kiev and Odessa) and Belarus (Minsk)

[meteorb]

 

July 2018

Odessa: a lovely town.  Hornet was active and I got several messages during my 3-day stay.   Bar Libertin was empty. I was told that Arcadia was the place that gays gather but I didn't check it out.

Kiev: beautiful churches and interesting side tours.  Both Grindr and Hornet were quite busy (Hornet busier) as I got many messages during my stay. 40-70 US dollars typical. Disco Lift is very popular at weekend. Living cost in Kiev is low. Kiev is a good city to visit for fun and for travel. 

Minsk:  quiet comparing to Kiev. I just got a couple of messages in Hornet. There are not many attractions in the city either.

 

[Cany10011]

Thank you Meteorb... this is so useful!  The guy i met in Stockholm last year was from Minsk and he was one of the hottest escorts i met. I must go back or fly him somewhere else in Europe (not sure if i can “invite” him to the US without much paperwork). I was also thinking of Poland as an untapped source of fun guys for hire... will have to do more research on that, but really appreciate you sharing your experiences with Ukraine and Belarus. 

Were there any visa complications (if any?) How was it bringing back a boy to your hotel? Any issues?

 

[meteorb]

I stayed in ibis Kiev train station and Hampton by Hilton Minsk city center and I didn't have any problem bringing back guests to my room (no one even asked).  I guess that international hotel chains are more liberal and tolerate of local guests.  However, it could be a little uneasy after 9pm when the hotels start to strength security at night and there might be security guards in the lounge. At day time, it seemed perfectly fine.

I also tried Airbnb apartments in Kiev and it worked well. It is important to choose Airbnb apartments with "private entrance" in the descriptions.  

I didn't have any visa problem to Ukraine and Belarus but it depends on your nationality (I am not an American)

 

[Cany10011]

Thanks Meteorb... I‘m glad to hear about your trip. Not many reports on Ukraine on this forum. Really helpful. If I go to Poland, i’ll definitely share the info

[boiworship]

Hot guys everywhere in Kyiv and L’viv. Beautiful facial structure and lean bodies. After the Balkans, it’s great to be in a country with no graffiti or litter. The young police and soldiers are gorgeous, especially beautiful eyes. I would guess that at least a third of the soldiers in the Independence Day parade would be Bel Ami stars.

[redxs]

On 8/27/2018 at 6:28 AM, boiworship said:

Hot guys everywhere in Kyiv and L’viv. Beautiful facial structure and lean bodies. After the Balkans, it’s great to be in a country with no graffiti or litter. The young police and soldiers are gorgeous, especially beautiful eyes. I would guess that at least a third of the soldiers in the Independence Day parade would be Bel Ami stars.

How likely are some of these going to be gay or willing to meet guys?

[Walker]

My understanding is that eastern Europen countries, especially those influenced by Russian culture are quite homophobic.

[msclelovr]

10 hours ago, Walker said:

My understanding is that eastern Europen countries, especially those influenced by Russian culture are quite homophobic.

I feel it may be more nuanced than you suggest. It may also be the influence of the Catholic Church.

Discretion is advisable. In many areas, public displays are frowned upon. For example, there are gay-bashings in Polish cities.

Social attitudes often lag behind equality policies. Yet I’ve dated several handsome young Slovaks - all of them 21-28, with ripped muscled bodies - who were great kissers, excellent cocksuckers and enthusiastic bottoms.

[redxs]

5 hours ago, msclelovr said:

I feel it may be more nuanced than you suggest. It may also be the influence of the Catholic Church.

Discretion is advisable. In many areas, public displays are frowned upon. For example, there are gay-bashings in Polish cities.

Social attitudes often lag behind equality policies. Yet I’ve dated several handsome young Slovaks - all of them 21-28, with ripped muscled bodies - who were great kissers, excellent cocksuckers and enthusiastic bottoms.

Where did you date them? UK?

If you met in Ukraine how did you meet, Grindr?

[msclelovr]

8 hours ago, redxs said:

Where did you date them? UK?

If you met in Ukraine how did you meet, Grindr?

Yes, the UK. It was mainly in London where I have met a variety of Eastern Europeans over the years. 

I met the Slovaks online before dating in London. I met one Pole in London and he introduced me to various of his friends when I made trips to Krakow and Warsaw. I met a couple of Hungarians in gay bars in Pest and that’s also where I encountered quite a few Romanians. 

[redxs]

On 6/9/2019 at 8:21 AM, msclelovr said:

Yes, the UK. It was mainly in London where I have met a variety of Eastern Europeans over the years. 

I met the Slovaks online before dating in London. I met one Pole in London and he introduced me to various of his friends when I made trips to Krakow and Warsaw. I met a couple of Hungarians in gay bars in Pest and that’s also where I encountered quite a few Romanians. 

So no tips for Kiev? I visit later this week.

[caeron]

I'd welcome some too, because I'm thinking about a couple of weeks in Ukraine in early September.

Seems like a lot of hotness there!

[redxs]

Wow lovely place, beautiful city with beautiful men.

Definitely going back soon.

Chernobyl visit a must too.

Just hook up with guys on Grindr and Hornet.

[Latindude]

On 6/20/2019 at 4:01 PM, redxs said:

Just hook up with guys on Grindr and Hornet

Nice to hear @redxs , could you report with some details your experience there? I was planning to go to Ukraine, however I decided to go to Turkey, just returned 10 days ago. 

Is it easy to meet gay or gay-for-pay Ukrainians? Are there any particular places like saunas ? Your experiences with Grindr and Hornet were with free guys or escorts ? 

[redxs]

On 6/22/2019 at 6:29 PM, Latindude said:

Nice to hear @redxs , could you report with some details your experience there? I was planning to go to Ukraine, however I decided to go to Turkey, just returned 10 days ago. 

Is it easy to meet gay or gay-for-pay Ukrainians? Are there any particular places like saunas ? Your experiences with Grindr and Hornet were with free guys or escorts ? 

Hi. I didn't have a chance to sample the scene or saunas.

Arrived Friday afternoon and came back Monday. Saturday - all day taken up with Chernobyl visit.

Met a few guys off of Grindr and Hornet, was advised Hornet was more popular locally for meets. Was a mixture of free guys and guys asking for cash... but they weren't asking for much. Try and stay near Independence Square as this is where guys will hang out of an evening time and weekends.

[caeron]

I'm going to Moldova for 5 days, and Ukraine for a week in September. 

So many smoking hot guys on Romeo. We'll see how it goes. Have chatted up one Hot Ukrainian guy already.

[msclelovr]

Just one note of caution before you go: make sure you have been properly vaccinated against measles.

There is a massive outbreak in the Ukraine, with more than 100,000 cases reported since 2017. Measles is highly contagious and (although rare, at more than 1 in 1000) it can lead to fatal complications. 39 deaths have been recorded so far since the outbreak began in 2017.

[boiworship]

On 6/20/2019 at 12:01 PM, redxs said:

Wow lovely place, beautiful city with beautiful men.

Definitely going back soon.

Chernobyl visit a must too.

Just hook up with guys on Grindr and Hornet.

I’m glad you enjoyed Kiev. I’m returning late August for 6 nights, then on to Minsk, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. 

[boiworship]

On 6/23/2019 at 11:38 AM, redxs said:

Hi. I didn't have a chance to sample the scene or saunas.

Arrived Friday afternoon and came back Monday. Saturday - all day taken up with Chernobyl visit.

Met a few guys off of Grindr and Hornet, was advised Hornet was more popular locally for meets. Was a mixture of free guys and guys asking for cash... but they weren't asking for much. Try and stay near Independence Square as this is where guys will hang out of an evening time and weekends.

I loved the Chernobyl tour and may repeat. I always stay near the Maydan (Independence Sq).

[caeron]

 

Thanks for the tip on where in town to stay.

I'll be doing Istanbul, Moldova, Ukraine, and then Thailand in September.  (direct flight from Kiev to BKK!).

When you say not asking for much, how much we talking about?

 

[redxs]

On 7/12/2019 at 5:39 PM, caeron said:

 

Thanks for the tip on where in town to stay.

I'll be doing Istanbul, Moldova, Ukraine, and then Thailand in September.  (direct flight from Kiev to BKK!).

When you say not asking for much, how much we talking about?

 

I met some stunning guys off grindr and hornet who just wanted fun and met a couple of boys who asked for cash, think maybe £10-20 GBP I gave. these guys weren't escorts by trade I guess and were just after some extra cash and some fun. No problem for me.

Seriously, it was a beautiful place and I will be going back soon I hope.

[caeron]

 

We'll see if I have the same luck. I'll have fun either way, since even the full listings on romeo aren't bad pricewise.

 

I'm looking forward to the tour of chernobyl, and am trying to decide if I want to hit Lviv or just stay close to Kiev. Did you tour around Ukraine much? 

 

I wanted to do the Baltics this trip, but couldn't quite make it work, so will do them on another trip. Looking forward to your report on them!

[redxs]

On 7/15/2019 at 1:39 AM, caeron said:

 

We'll see if I have the same luck. I'll have fun either way, since even the full listings on romeo aren't bad pricewise.

I'm looking forward to the tour of chernobyl, and am trying to decide if I want to hit Lviv or just stay close to Kiev. Did you tour around Ukraine much? 

I wanted to do the Baltics this trip, but couldn't quite make it work, so will do them on another trip. Looking forward to your report on them!

I only really had one free day after Chernobyl so just potted around town.... it was very hot so was happy just to sit in cafes reading and watching the world pass by.

[boiworship]

I’d also suggest visiting L’viv. Lovely old city known as Lwow in Polish and Lemberg during the time it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. I’ve also heard from Ukrainians that Kharkiv is also a great place.