We're headed 'home' to Izmail at Christmastime and have heard of problems on the road from Odessa. The northern route passes briefly into Moldova. I understand that the Moldovan government requires some type of permit costing up to $75 per person and may take several hours to transit those few hundred yards.
My mother-in-law says that on the southern route robberies and carjackings have become frequent occurances.
Has anyone made this trip lately and have any experiences that can share? This is about the biggest concern we have with the journey.