Good tip on the embassy, but beyond that, you should know "getting out" isn't exactly easy right now. There are no flights, a curfew is in place in several cities, all trains and buses are fully booked. If they don't have a car, repatriating any time soon is probably beyond the realm of their possibilities, Canadian or not.

Canadian embassy is closed in Ukraine, they have relocated to Poland.

"Canada temporarily suspends operations in Kyiv. Due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation, the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine has temporarily suspended its operations in Kyiv and moved to an office in Lviv. Canadians in need of consular assistance in Ukraine should contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) in Ottawa." (https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ukraine/index.aspx)

The EWRC is https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-assistance

Oh, and here is the Canadians Abroad registration info: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

US intelligence has been warning of this invasion for weeks though. There was plenty of time to make your way out. Now it is a bit too late.

This is not helpful.

This isn’t over. Governments may issue advice in the future that would be wise to heed.

So far the info from the US government has been very accurate.

Truth is always helpful.

But maybe they didn't want out.

The problem with these warnings is that you have zero idea of whether or not they are honest, mildly exaggerated, or just political posturing.

As of a few days ago, it was quite clear that Russia would invade Donetsk and Lugansk. It was not at all clear whether an invasion of Kiev would actually take place, or if it was a fairy tale, just like Saddam's WMDs.

It's also possible to team up with friends who do have a car, or use social media to find a stranger who is making the same trip (and pay them).

Biking will always be an option. If you are in decent shape you can travel over 100 miles in a day.

100 miles (160 km) is a lot to bike.

I'm in decent shape (probably top 10% of the population) and I did 114 km this summer in great weather on an old mountainbike with a slick rear tire on gravel roads. It took me about about 5½ hours effective riding time.

To go out biking winter-time 100+ km, in freezing temps or slightly above that, with high humidity and possibly rain/sleet/snow you better be well prepared. Especially if you don't know where you will end up and if that place will have water / heat / electricity.

In the cold, with just a backpack for supplies? I'm in good shape and love biking, still wouldn't want to take that bet.

At least it is a bet. Is there anything that can be done to help?

By staying you’re risking getting caught in cross fire. By biking 100M in the winter you’re risking frostbite, dehydration, injury, etc.

Neither is a death sentence. You just have to weigh your risks.

Doesn't seem so :/ Personally I think their best bet is to wait and see how the situation evolves in the short term. Russia does not seem to want to hurt citizens. At least, not yet...

Urgh, I hate this.

> I hate this.

Quite. Russia is now a pariah, until Putin is gone they will not be able to live this down. I'm really disappointed that Italy and Germany block kicking them off Swift, that should have been the first response.

Same. Feeling extremely betrayed by Germany's response, as a European.

You make it sound like it's impossible.

It's pretty cold there. I think you'd need to be very diligently prepared for such a journey and probably more than "in decent shape."

If you hit a snowy road, you're walking a good portion of that unless you've got a bike that can handle it

Oh, and for the love of pete,

0. Do not panic.