Phoenix-based international marriage agency A Foreign Affair is still leading groups of men to Ukraine in search of wives, despite the volatile political crisis developing in Ukraine's eastern border with Russia. Tens of thousands of Russian troops have amassed just miles from the cities of Lugansk and Sumy, two of AFA's most popular destinations among mail-order-bride seekers. "Actually, we're going to Lugansk this weekend for a large singles event and plan to be there for a week afterwards," says AFA CEO John Adams. "We've done five romance tours to Ukraine since the political crisis began in November and the response from the women there has been overwhelming."

Hardly inconspicuous as they travel on buses in large groups from city to city, AFA's tour groups have encountered no hostilities from locals or anti-American sentiment. "Aside from the occasional isolated protest here and there, it seems like life as usual in every city we've visited so far," says Adams, who receives a daily briefing from local staffers in Kiev and Odessa. "If anything, we're seeing record numbers of ladies attending our social parties." Asked how bad things would have to get in Ukraine in order for travel plans to be cancelled, Adams says "Obviously, we wouldn't intentionally put our clients in harms way. We can always detour to a back up city for awhile if need be. We just ask clients to understand that while things are still relatively calm throughout Ukraine, there is a heightened risk." The company, which has been introducing American men to Ukrainian women for 15 years, has three more tours planned for this year.