One underrated challenge of the enduring Russia-Ukraine conflict is accessing unbiased information free from foreign propaganda. Whether you’re a Ukrainian living abroad or just eager to stay informed about the country, content licensing agreements can be significant roadblocks. If you want to watch Ukrainian TV from abroad, the geo-restrictions that enforce those agreements stand in the way.
But don’t worry: a virtual private network presents a reliable workaround. This article explains how to access Ukrainian TV channels from anywhere in the world.
Why You Can’t Watch Ukrainian TV Abroad
When you travel abroad, you want to take some part of home along with you. However, content licensing agreements and the geo-restrictions that enable them are not easy to get around — unless you know how to.
Ukrainian TV channels, like many other broadcasters around the world, are often legally bound by these agreements, which dictate where users can access their content.
In Ukraine, tuning into your favorite channel is seamless and unhindered. But travel outside the country and try to access platforms like Volia, Divian TV, or 5 Kanal, and you’ll likely be met with an unwelcome sight — error messages and stubbornly unplayable videos.
The reason is simple: the platform detects your IP address, recognizes your approximate location, and swiftly slams the door shut on access.
So, how do you break free from this virtual border to enjoy Ukrainian TV abroad? There are quite a few options, but a Ukrainian VPN is the most reliable.
The technology reroutes your internet connection through a server based in Ukraine. This creates the illusion that you are still in the country, even if you’re thousands of miles away.
That way, it masks your true IP address with a Ukrainian IP, allowing you to access Ukrainian TV channels abroad, bypassing geo-restrictions.
How to Watch Ukrainian TV From Abroad With a VPN
Unlocking Ukrainian TV channels from outside the country with the help of a VPN is a simple, straightforward process. Well, as long as you’re using a quality provider, that is. Here’s a four-step guide to follow.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Carefully select a dependable VPN service with servers in Ukraine. But more than that, you want the provider to offer an optimum blend of features and performance. That includes speed, unblocking capabilities, security and privacy, and quality customer support. In other words, it must be fast and reliable.
After testing many options, our best recommendation for watching Ukrainian TV abroad is ExpressVPN.
Step 2: Install the VPN App
Visit the official website of your chosen VPN provider and register for an account. Subscribe to a plan that suits your requirements, and then download and install the VPN app on your device. Many reputable VPNs come with clients for different platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Step 3: Connect to a Ukrainian Server
Launch the VPN application and log in with your account credentials. In the list of available servers, select one located in Ukraine. Next, click the large Connect button on the app’s home screen to connect to the server.
Step 4: Enjoy Ukrainian TV Channels Outside Ukraine
Once connected, you can access Ukrainian TV channels from anywhere. Simply visit the websites or applications of your preferred TV channels, and you’ll be able to stream your favorite content as if you were physically within the country.
Best VPNs to Watch Ukrainian TV From Abroad — Our Top 3 Picks
Virtually every VPN service boasts about its unblocking capabilities.
In reality, many VPNs are not up to the task of providing seamless access to the television content you want from Ukraine. To make it easier for you to pick, we tested dozens of providers and narrowed it down to three of the best options. Here they are:
1. ExpressVPN
You won’t find a better provider than ExpressVPN for watching Ukrainian television channels abroad. But that’s no surprise, considering it’s arguably the best VPN in the market.
The provider offers a collection of 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, including Ukraine — the most expansive country spread around.
Those servers are known for their speed, which makes ExpressVPN a perfect choice for streaming content seamlessly. In fact, it’s consistently the fastest VPN, thanks to next-gen infrastructure and its lightning-fast Lightway protocol.
One of the key features that sets ExpressVPN apart is its exceptional ability to bypass geo-restrictions. The VPN not only grants you access to Ukrainian TV channels but also lets you unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. As a result, you can enjoy a wide range of international content from wherever you are, ensuring you stay entertained and informed.
ExpressVPN’s commitment to user privacy and security is impeccable. It uses military-grade encryption to protect your data from prying eyes, including those of hackers. The provider also offers a kill switch, leak protection, and RAM-based servers to ensure your online activities remain confidential. Building on that, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy.
And if you’re looking to block pesky ads and the trackers that enable them, the highly effective Threat Manager feature comes in handy.
ExpressVPN works across a wide variety of platforms, protecting up to 8 devices simultaneously on one account. A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your purchase, so you will be trying it out completely risk-free.
2. CyberGhost
Compared to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is pretty budget-friendly. That said, the Romanian-based VPN has a lot going for it across the board.
Take its server network, for instance. With over 9,600 servers across 100 countries, the provider ensures that you have access to a plethora of options, including 23 servers in Kyiv. This wide server coverage just about guarantees reliable and fast connections for watching Ukrainian TV content and news, even from distant locations.
That’s because they are 10 Gbps servers, optimal for high-speed browsing, streaming, and large downloads. Plus, CyberGhost offers speedy protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
The VPN’s specialized streaming servers can unblock not only Ukrainian TV channels but also a variety of on-demand services. So, whether you want to follow live events in the country or enjoy movies or shows on global platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, CyberGhost has you covered.
Ukrainian citizens, home and away, are especially wary of cyberattacks, so you need a VPN on top of its game in this area. CyberGhost offers AES 256-bit encryption, which is virtually uncrackable. It also features essential tools like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Plus, its no-logs policy has undergone independent audits to verify its commitment to user privacy.
CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps for a wide range of devices, allowing 7 simultaneous connections. The provider’s confidence in the quality of its service is evident, what with its 45-day refund policy — the most extended trial period you’ll find.
3. NordVPN
If you’ve never heard of NordVPN, chances are that you’re new to the world of virtual private networks. It’s well-established and widely regarded as one of the top VPN services available. And when it comes to watching Ukrainian TV from abroad, there are not many more compelling options.
NordVPN’s extensive server network spans almost 6,000 servers across 60 countries. That includes 14 servers in the capital, Kyiv, ensuring dependable access to Ukrainian TV channels and related content, regardless of your location.
In the performance department, NordVPN truly excels. So you’ll get buffer-free streaming, even when viewing content in high-definition. You can count on smooth, uninterrupted access to your favorite Ukrainian TV channels.
An excellent streaming VPN, the provider’s abilities extend to local and international platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and others. As a result, you can switch from local news channels to your favorite shows and movies hassle-free.
Browse in confidence with NordVPN, thanks to its feature-rich privacy and security functionality. It implements robust encryption to protect your online activities and provides essential features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
To further enhance privacy, the service uses RAM-based servers, which ensure that no data stays on physical hard drives. What’s more, there are lots of advanced tools like obfuscation and Double VPN.
NordVPN isn’t suitable for individuals with multiple devices or households as the other VPNs on this list, only allowing six connected devices on one subscription. That said, you get a full month to make up your mind about committing or requesting a refund. Our bet is on the former option.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch Ukrainian TV Abroad?
On the surface, free VPNs look like an attractive proposition when you’re looking to watch Ukrainian TV content from elsewhere. Complete privacy without paying a dime — what’s not to love? We even have a selection of the best free VPN providers for Ukraine.
But hold on. We recommend you only go that route if you absolutely cannot afford a premium provider. Here’s why.
Free VPN providers typically offer a limited number of servers and locations. Since Ukrainian TV channels usually require specific regional access, you’ll struggle to find a free VPN with servers located in Ukraine that can reliably unblock them.
What’s more, you have to deal with congestion, slow connection speeds, and data and bandwidth caps. These limitations can result in frustrating buffering and reduced video quality, which can be particularly annoying when you’re in the middle of a breaking news segment or show.
Even worse, free VPNs may not offer the best privacy and security features. This can expose your data to potential risks, which is not ideal for your privacy online or keeping your personal information safe.
Conclusion
There’s never been a better time for needing a VPN for Ukraine than the present. A quality provider keeps your data safe and private as usual, but it also ensures you stay updated on the latest happenings in the country while you’re away.
Our top recommendation to watch Ukrainian TV abroad is ExpressVPN. The provider unblocks access to all the local television channels and networks, easily bypassing the roadblocks they put up. On top of that, you can count on speedy and reliable connections, as well as robust security and privacy.
