People from different countries massively book accommodation in Kyiv through Airbnb: why do they need it when the country is at war

People from all over the world book accommodation through Airbnb in Ukraine. They don't plan to come, says CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

Vladimir Bondarenko spends most of the day in his apartment in Kyiv.

Between listening to air raid sirens and frantically messaging his family for updates, he's messaging a flood of Airbnb guests booking his one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the Ukrainian capital.

Sometimes he sends a crying emoji. In other cases, emoticons of praying hands. It's his way of thanking those who book his apartment, even if they don't intend to ever show up at his door.

Airbnb hosts in Ukraine are flooded with bookings from people all over the world who don't plan to visit. It's part of a creative social media campaign to pump money to beleaguered Ukrainians who need financial help as Russian troops shell their country and shut down services.

The idea took off. According to an Airbnb representative, on March 2 and 3, guests from all over the world booked more than 61 nights in Ukraine. More than half of those nights were booked by Americans, the spokesperson said.

The journalists spoke to people in the US, UK and Australia who have booked accommodation in Ukraine on Airbnb in recent days.

On the subject: Residents of Europe massively buy medicines for radiation after the seizure of nuclear power plants in Ukraine by Russians

“Today we received more than 10 reservations. It was amazing, it helps a lot at the moment,” Bondarenko, 36, said on March 4. “I have told many of my family and friends that I plan to use this money to help our people who need it during this time.”

People leave messages of support for their Ukrainian landlords

The call for guests to book accommodation through Airbnb in Ukraine began online, with supporters asking people to book rooms as close to their check-in date as possible so that hosts get paid quickly. Airbnb usually issues a payout approximately 24 hours after a guest checks in.

Campaign organizers are also urging people to make sure that rentals are made by individuals and not companies.

New Yorker Ann Margaret Daniel saw Airbnb's social media posts and took action.

A literature teacher at the New School booked two nights in an apartment in Old Kyiv, a charming historic district known for its Orthodox churches and bizarre animal sculptures. Photos from the Airbnb list show impeccable wood floors, a soft gray sofa, and a skylight. The two bedroom apartment is almost fully booked for the next few months.

In her booking, Danielle included a message to the host:

“I hope you and your beautiful apartment are safe and that this terrible war is over... and Ukraine is safe,” the message said. - I will come and see you one day. May God bless you and may God be with you, your city, your country.”

Olga Zviryanskaya, the owner of the apartment, answered her.

“We will be glad to see you in the peaceful city of Kyiv and we will hug,” she said.

Zviryanskaya and her three children lived in the capital for years. After Russian troops invaded and destroyed the city, she packed her children and some belongings into a car and fled to the Cherkassy region, a city in central Ukraine. The 160 km trip took nine hours.

Now Zviryanskaya allows people who do not have the opportunity to leave Kyiv to live in her apartment. Messages from strangers comforted her as she adjusted to her new reality.

“We are alive, but we want to live like before,” she said. — It’s very scary in Kyiv. Every word of support is valuable, not necessarily money.”

Someday, when the conflict subsides, Daniel hopes to book Zviryanskaya's apartment again. This time she intends to visit the city.

“You are my heroes,” says one Ukrainian host.

Andrey Osipchuk is a retired sailor and owner of Airbnb in Kyiv.

He was surprised to see Valerie Zimmer from Brooklyn, who was born in Kyiv and stayed at his apartment three years ago to visit family, recently booked his place again for a week.

Osipchuk remains in the city with his wife and two children. He has since set up an automated message to handle the influx of Airbnb requests.

“Thank you very much for your help, which is so needed now,” it says. “I’ve been standing in line since the morning for food, which I can now buy with the money you sent.”

Zimmer contacted him directly to see how he was feeling and to offer help. She encouraged her friends to look for similar Airbnb rentals all over Ukraine.

“The money will go directly to the people and quickly,” she said.

New Yorker Kareyanne Deyo, 45, booked an apartment attached to someone's home in Ukraine on Airbnb to make sure her payment would reach the resident.

“I also donated to larger organizations, but I felt that booking through Airbnb had a more direct impact,” Deyo says.

Airbnb refuses to charge guests and hosts

Airbnb said it was offering temporary accommodation in neighboring countries to approximately 100 Ukrainians who are fleeing their country due to the Russian invasion. The company also refuses to take interest for guests and owners of the apartment.

“We are very touched by the inspiring generosity of our community at this time of crisis,” said Haven Thorne, a spokesman for the company. He asked those willing to help by hosting Ukrainians to visit the Airbnb website for more information.

Some people warn that scammers could set up fake Airbnb accounts in Ukraine to cash in on the world's bounty. Those booking rentals are advised to carefully review the listing and read reviews to ensure the host is legit and has been operating for some time.

One of the social media influencers behind Airbnb's efforts also urged his followers to help Ukrainian sellers on Etsy, but ask sellers not to send any items. Etsy has announced the cancellation of ongoing fees due from all sellers in Ukraine.

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Bondarenko, an Airbnb host in Kyiv, said that while banks are closed in some cities and Airbnb payments may not reach hosts as quickly as usual, bailouts are much needed in a world full of terror and uncertainty.

Just as important, he says, are other things, such as the words of encouragement they hear from strangers living in another world.

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