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Ongoing events in Ukraine have made it necessary for users to find secure internet connections. Although most of the country can get online, there is no guarantee that connections are surveillance-free. One of the most reliable ways to get a secure connection is with the use of virtual private network software. Read on to find the best VPN for Ukraine as well as how to connect and get it to work.

A Quick Background

At this time information about internet coverage in Ukraine remains scant, but there are certain things we know.

By early 2022, Ukraine had an internet penetration score of just above 70%. This is quite high for a country in that part of the world.

Unfortunately, this statistic may no longer hold, with current events in the country leaving large swathes unconnected or with intermittent internet. Cities in the east and south have been hit particularly hard.

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The government has continued to maintain and repair connections whenever they are broken, keeping most Ukrainians connected to the world. They still have access to social media sites, news portals and other websites.

The major concern, however, is surveillance coupled with the spread of misinformation. It has become apparent in recent weeks that Russia has attempted to monitor civilian communications and manipulate what everyday users can access online.

One way to ensure a private, uncensored and untethered internet connection in Ukraine today is with the use of a VPN.

VPNs have gained global popularity in recent years and users cite a variety of reasons for buying this kind of software. Statistics show that most people who buy a VPN want to expand their entertainment options.

However, in countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a VPN is essential for keeping internet activity private and providing access that may be restricted or altogether blocked.

This post is about the best VPN for Ukraine. We’ll talk about why you need to use a VPN in Ukraine, how to choose the best and how to install and get a Ukraine VPN to work.


Why Use a VPN in Ukraine?

There are many reasons to use a VPN in Ukraine. The first, and possibly most significant, is to avoid surveillance.

The Ukrainian government doesn’t have a history of spying on its citizens but Russia does.

In the current environment citizens are worried that although the government is working hard to keep internet infrastructure working, Russia may use it to spy on internet traffic, spread misinformation, or block websites altogether.

Apart from ensuring online privacy, a VPN in Ukraine can be used to:

  • Bypass geoblocks
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Geoblocking is a common practice not just in Ukraine but all over the world. It means that you are restricted from accessing a website because of your location.

You may have seen it when you try to access sites like Netflix or HBO only to get an error message letting you know that you are outside the authorized region for that service.

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Geoblocks exist for many reasons. In some places, governments use them to stop their citizens from accessing certain websites.

Big media companies employ geoblocks for licensing regions; they are contractually bound to air shows and movies only in certain countries.

They also don’t provide content in some regions because it isn’t profitable, or because they don’t have the necessary infrastructure in place.

You can bypass geoblocks if you have a VPN. When you install, choose a server in a country that has access to the content you’re interested in, and you will be assigned an IP address in that country. To anyone watching, it looks like you are in the country of your chosen server.

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  • Keep devices and data secure

Ukraine has been particularly vulnerable to Russian hackers in recent times. They have been known to take over computers in businesses using Ransomware.

Viasat, Whsipergate and similar attacks were aimed at government agencies but ended up affecting a significant number of civilians as well.

There is no indication that these attacks will slow down. If you connect to the internet regularly in Ukraine and haven’t suffered a hack yet it may only be a matter of time.

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One way to make sure you’re safe from online criminals is with a VPN. Not only is your data encrypted and passed through a secure tunnel, but VPNs like Surfshark have Alert that warns you when you are at risk so that you can take the necessary corrective action.

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  • Enjoy a wider variety of entertainment

Although Netflix has a Ukrainian version, it is out of reach for most citizens. The cost remains prohibitive, especially in these times of scarce resources.

Furthermore, it doesn’t have many of the shows available on Netflix US or Netflix US. The only way you can access any Netflix catalog from any country is with a VPN.

Because virtual private software assigns you a different IP address Netflix servers cannot tell that you are in Ukraine.

If you want to access the US catalog, for example, choose a US server and Netflix’s servers will assume that you are in the United States.

It’s not just unlimited Netflix that you get to enjoy when you install a VPN. You can watch virtually any channel from any country.

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Platforms like HBO, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer are available to you as soon as you install a VPN in Ukraine.

You’ll also be able to enjoy sports from any platform and you can access news portals whenever you like.

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  • Stop your internet provider from throttling your bandwidth
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If your internet provider notices you’re streaming or gaming they may slow down your speeds or put caps on how much data you can use. A VPN hides your activity so your ISP doesn’t know what you do online.


How to Choose the Best VPN for Ukraine

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VPNs are a dime a dozen and choosing isn’t easy, especially for first-time users. We regularly test VPNs, and we have to bring you the best VPN for Ukraine here are some of the things that we looked at:

  • Does the VPN have servers in Ukraine and neighboring countries?

The closer a server is to a user, the better the performance of the connection. Many VPN companies remain operational in Ukraine and still have a server presence.

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The best VPNs have thousands of servers across the world, giving users reach in almost every country. In a nutshell, VPNs that have lots of servers tend to be faster and more reliable.

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  • Is the VPN fast?
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You don’t want a VPN that will slow down your internet connection.

Unfortunately, VPNs slow down connection speeds so what you’re looking for is the one that will slow down your devices the least.

Having Ukrainian servers allows for fast speeds and stable connections.

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  • Is it secure?
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VPNs use certain protocols to keep users secure. To encrypt data, the best ones use AES-256 military-grade encryption and several other protocols.

They also develop in-house security features like Double VPN for NordVPN or Chameleon Protocol for VyprVPN.

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  • Does the VPN keep user logs?
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For experienced users, this is one of the first things they look for in a VPN. If you buy a VPN that gathers user data you are potentially compromised.

Most VPNs collect some form of user data for administrative purposes.

What distinguishes the best from the rest is the kind of data they collect and how long they hold on to it. Ideally, the company should purge all user data within a few weeks of collection.

Beware of free VPNs for Ukraine or indeed any free VPNs. Most of them monetize by selling user details. If you subscribe don’t be surprised when you start to see excessive ads, receive lots of spam, or worse.

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  • Does the VPN allow for multiple simultaneous connections?

It is a good idea to buy a VPN that allows you to connect as many devices as possible at the same time. For Ukrainians, this is especially important.

If you choose the right VPN you can connect everyone in the family and even colleagues, neighbors and friends.

It is also a great saving for small businesses – one license guarantees all employees a secure connection.

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  • Additional Considerations

While the above considerations are the most important to keep in mind when choosing the best VPN in Ukraine there are a few more factors to take into account.

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Think about data caps; you don’t want your usage limited to a certain amount of data every day.

Price also matters because you want a VPN you can use in the long term. Also, look at what form of payment a VPN accepts and whether you can use it to make your purchase. Check whether you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.


How to Use a VPN (in Ukraine)

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech whiz to install and use a VPN on your PC or mobile device. The process is rather straightforward, and the best VPNs usually provide detailed installation instructions.

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In general, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Find a reliable and affordable VPN provider. Any of the ones discussed in this post will do, but feel free to explore other options in this detailed post about top VPNs…
  2. Download and install the app. Providers have designed different apps for different platforms so choose the right one for your device.
  3. Log in to the VPN using the same credentials that you used to register on the website.
  4. Choose a server or let the VPN choose one for you.
  5. Access whatever online content you want.

The 4 best VPNs for Ukraine

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Surfshark

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Surfshark has remained one of our favorites for a while now. There are many reasons to choose this VPN for Ukraine. Not only is it affordable, but it also allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.

This means that a Ukrainian user can buy a single license to connect his or her whole family, and business and even share the connection with friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Another reason why Surfshark is a top contender is its server coverage. Although we don’t have an exact number of servers for Ukraine, they are enough to provide fast and stable connections for users.

Surfshark uses the best security protocols, including AES-256, a multi-hop server option to route your data through two servers for double encryption. Other online privacy measures include a kill switch and DNS leak protection.

The company has a strict no-logs policy and collects only basic information when you sign up; nothing that can compromise users. There are no data caps, so users can stream and game as much as they like.

Surfshark works on most operating systems and you’ll find detailed installation instructions on the website for different devices and OS.

ProsCons
It's a fast service that's ideal for gaming and streamingThe monthly subscription is expensive and there isn't a one-year subscription
You can use it for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN and many other streaming servicesIt could do with more P2P servers
It is secure, with AES-256 military-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection and other powerful security featuresSome servers are slow
The service is well supported and comes with installation instructions for different operating systems
You can connect unlimited devices simultaneously
The apps are well designed and easy to navigate
You can install it on a router, and it comes with step-by-step instructions
The company has 3,200+ servers
It is headquartered in the Netherlands
Users get a 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit Surfshark Now


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NordVPN

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We like NordVPN because it comes at a reasonable price while packing all the features of a top-tier VPN. It has been around for more than 10 years, and in that time it has grown to become one of the most popular VPN services for users all around the world.

You can use NordVPN for streaming, gaming, P2P and bypass geoblocks. It can access any website you want.

The company has 20+ Ukrainian servers. Connections tend to be better when you connect to a nearby server, so most Ukrainians should be able to enjoy fast speeds and reliable connections with NordVPN.

NordVPNs packages are reasonably priced and you can buy a monthly, annual, or 2-year plan. The longer-term plans are cheaper, so you may want to look into those if you’re planning for long-term usage.

Security protocols include AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection and a kill switch.

ProsCons
It is a fast service that you can use to stream and gameIt provides only 6 simultaneous connections
NordVPN is excellent for bypassing geoblocks and you can use it to watch Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN and thousands of other streaming servicesYou can only select a location, not a specific server
It is secure; it uses AES-256 military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection and it has a kill switchSome feel that the app interface could be better
The service has well-designed apps that are easy to install and useSome servers are slow
It comes with detailed installation instructions and is a well-supported service
It works for all common operating systems
The service is affordable and you can pay for it using bitcoin
It has 5,000+ servers
The company is located in Panama
You get a 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit NordVPN Now


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VyprVPN

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Among top VPNs VyprVPN is unique. Not only does it have a much smaller server fleet, but it happens to be one of the best VPNs for Ukraine. This is because it has a newly-deployed fleet of Ukrainian servers.

Although it has fewer servers than others in this post it offers decent speeds and users can game and stream from TV platforms without buffering.

The software works for all common platforms including Windows and macOS, iOS and Android.

If you sign up from the website you enjoy 30 simultaneous connections. It is a well-supported service with responsive customer service.

ProsCons
It is a fast service that streams and games without lagsIt has a smaller server fleet than other VPNs in this post
You can use it for Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN and many other streaming servicesSome servers are slow
It is secure, with AES-256 military-grade encryption, a kill switch and DNS leak protectionThe company doesn't accept bitcoin payments
You get good support, and the software comes with detailed installation instructions
It has servers in Ukraine allowing for fast and stable connections
You can select the apps you'd like to connect through VPN
It has 700+ servers
The company is located in the Netherlands
Users get a 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit VyprVPN Now


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ExpressVPN

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Whether you’re inside or outside Ukraine ExpressVPN comes highly recommended. It is one of the oldest providers of VPN services and has millions of users. It is a reliable service, and although it experiences hitches from time to time it continues to be a trusted VPN.

The company has one of the biggest server networks, allowing for fast speeds that you can use to stream from services like Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and ESPN.

It is also an excellent choice for gaming as you can access games on international servers and play without lags.

The company takes security seriously. It has a strict no-logs policy and employs the best protocols to keep you safe at all times. These include AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and DNS leak protection.

ProsCons
The service is fast and is one of the best for gaming and streamingIt is one of the more expensive VPNs
You can use it to watch Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and thousands of other streaming servicesYou only get 5 simultaneous connections
It uses AES-256 military-grade encryption and has a battery of additional security features The apps could do with some design tweaks
ExpressVPN is excellent for bypassing websites and you can use it to access websites without detectionThere is the occasional slow server
It has servers in Ukraine allowing for faster connections
There are no data caps; stream and game as much as you like
The company has 3,000+ servers
It is located in the British Virgin Islands
You get a 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ExpressVPN Now


FAQ

  • How to get a Ukrainian IP address?

The best way to get a Ukrainian IP address is through a VPN. When you connect through a VPN, it assigns you a new IP address. Anyone monitoring your connection will see this new IP address, not your real one.

The best way to get a Ukrainian IP address is through a VPN. When you connect through a VPN, it assigns you a new IP address. Anyone monitoring your connection will see this new IP address, not your real one.

This obfuscation allows you to connect to websites that may be blocked or censored without detection.

  • Which VPNs have servers in Ukraine?

Surfshark, NordVPN, VyprVPN and ExpressVPN all have servers in Ukraine. If you choose any of these services you can expect fast, stable and secure connections.

  • Is a VPN legal in Ukraine?

Yes, you can use a VPN in Ukraine without fear of legal repercussions so long as you don’t engage in illegal activity such as downloading copyrighted material.

Conclusion

A Ukraine VPN is essential if you want unfettered access to the internet, including movie and TV streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. There are numerous VPNs in the market but they vary greatly when it comes to performance.

The best VPN for Ukraine uses the latest security protocols, is fast and has a wide server network. You cannot go wrong with any of the ones discussed in this post.