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Information for all those lucky enough to get a ticket for the Donetsk game or those travelling by Lonsdale, if you are travelling with the latter, there won’t really be that much to worry about as they are quite efficient if expensive.
I have compiled some information for those going under their own steam:
Visa:
If you are from the UK, and are a UK Citizen, then you won’t need a visa, but best to double check:
Click: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/ukraine
Currency: Local currency is the Hyvrnia (grivna), rates are approx:8.45 to the £Pound.
Weather: keep up to date on whether to dig the long johns out
John Kettley is a weather man x 3 and so is Micheal Fish
Website:
Shaktar Donetsk have a cracking little website, that of course puts our’s to shame take note CMT
Airport: On flying into the Ukraine you will be handed an Immigration Card to fill out by the cabin crew, All passengers must, on arrival, fill in this Card.
The card must be presented together with the passport when entering and leaving the country, you will get this stamped prior to passing through Customs, you will need to provide this on departure so don’t lose it!
The Airport is very small and I have been told that there is a lack of English speakers so hopefully Lonsdale will have this covered if there are any problems.
Donetsk
Until 1924, Donetsk was called Yuzovka after a Welshman, John Hughes, who set up the first metallurgical plant here in 1872 to exploit the region’s coal. From 1924 until 1961, the industrial hub was called Stalino after Stalin. Today, beyond seeing a model Soviet city, there’s little to lure tourists. Indeed, in true Full Monty style, the city of Donetsk is twinned with Sheffield in the UK, another ailing industrial giant looking to reinvent itself in the post-industrial age.
Places to Stay
Hotel Ukraina (8-0622-91-1950, vul. Artema, 88) does not always have hot water despite its claims otherwise. As a foreigner you will be automatically offered a luxury double for ; insist on one of the cheaper rooms (with private bathroom).
Hotel Central (8-062-332-3875, vul. Artema, 87) has a premium location and offers Euro-standard services with a price tag to match. Standard singles start at $ 70.
Hotel Prague (8-062-381-1166, vul. Dubravna, 101/103) is the top of the pile, located just a ten-minute walk from the city centre in the park zone. It offers 19 comfortable rooms, standard singles and doubles starting from $ 110.
Going Out
Bassano del Grappa (vul. Hrinkevycha, 8), named after the Dolomiti location famous for its schnapps, is a classical Italian restaurant in Donetsk in white pastel colours. The interior is typically Italian, with wooden furniture, Venetian straw and hand-made ornaments on the ceiling. The cuisine is purely Italian, with some elements of French. Try lasagne or Salmone Festa (grilled salmon), or, if you’ve dropped in for a cup of coffee, ask for Tiramisu dessert.
Chicago (vul. Artema, 123) is truly the most prestigious night club in Donetsk (although, in fairness, one could say it’s the only decent one). Here you’ll find abundant space, a hi-tech bar and right on the stage there is a bathroom, where, having paid for your lusty and salacious delight, you can ‘bathe’ with a striptease artist! 
Deja Vue Donetsk (Pushkina blvd., 29) allows you to enjoy that instantly recognisable spirit of joy and friendship in Donetsk. If you know all ins and outs of both Kyiv’s and Odesa’s joints, then come enjoy great motorcycle and aviation halls, or marine and photographic halls for VIP guests.
Domino (vul. Artema, 129a), a small cafeteria-type construction opposite the Ukraina hotel, make no mistake – this is not a low-key coffee shop, but an up-market venue, visited by football players, pop stars and other celebrities. The little main hall with several tables is not the end of it, as there is also a luxurious banquet hall fashioned in the shape of a wine vault.
Golden Lion (vul. Artema, 76)! While many ‘Irish pubs’ are a total fraud globally, this one hasn’t spoiled the high reputation of the real thing so far. This piece of the Emerald Isle is situated in the very heart of Donetsk and offers the unforgettable atmosphere of a typical Irish pub, where the Guinness flows (like back home) and traditional songs are sung till dawn.
Mustang (vul. Artema, 125) have got it right. The spacious main hall of this downtown restaurant actually boasts a replica of the plane, right above the bar!
Okolitsa (Shevchenko blvd., 50) is quite a rare treat – a Russian cuisine restaurant, with caviar, pancakes, balalaikas and other favourites we (Ukrainians and expats alike) love and cherish. Though not in the city centre, a ten minute ride will get you there. The interior is a typical Russian ‘izba’ (cottage), with an oven and many samovars, collected from all over Russia. The banquet hall is more sumptuous and refined, with a touch of the Imperial style of the late 19th – early 20th centuries.
Each major Ukrainian city must have at least one decent Ukrainian restaurant, and Donetsk is no exception. Situated in the central street Artema, Shynok (vul. Artema, 127) is an authentic Ukrainian restaurant with a main hall, vault and other ‘necessary’ traditional elements – even a statue of a Ukrainian Cossack. There’s nothing much to say about the cuisine, apart from the fact that is made according to traditional recipes, served in big portions and is quite cheap for such kind of a restaurant.
Tequila Boom (Pushkina blvd., 25), a true Mexican restaurant, claims to bring the sun to the dusty industrial giant of Donetsk. At least that’s what you feel when you get inside, and the pleasant aroma of Mexican dishes, cacti-inspired interior and flowing rivers of Margarita capture your imagination. Naturally, there is a plenty of alcohol to choose from, but keep it simple and order a Margarita or Tequila Boom and you can be sure of quality.
Titanic (vul. Artema, 127) is not going to sink, the venue’s management remain confident. However, many things remind you of the legendary ship there, starting from the entrance in the shape of the Titanic’s bow. The classic restaurant interior could have been the ship’s restaurant and there is a grand piano in the hall (live music is played on certain days).
Tri Tolstyaka (Pushkina blvd., 25), an Italian inspired venue, is the title of a Soviet kids’ novel and means the Three Fat Men. A big selection of pizza, desserts which will be made according to your taste, with delicious toppings made from fresh products and, of course, various Ukrainian beers have made Tri Tolstyaka an extremely popular spot on Donetsk’s restaurant map.
Good luck to all those going, I am sure that you will all have a fantastic time over in the Ukraine, BTW Obolon is the best beer out there by a country mile!!
BBB