Kiev and Odessa - end of September! Anybody from these cities can help me?

[Meshtatel]

Hi everybody!
I'm now to this forum. I've been looking something like this for days now.
Well here's my problem:

I am an Italian guy, I'm 28 years old. I've always enjoyed traveling, and I've already come back to Italy
from a great trip to Uzbekistan.
I've visited almost all Europe, but the most eastern I've gone has been Hungary,Slovakia and Czech republic.
I'm always been fascinated by ex-CCCP countries; that's why this time I will try to visit Ukraine!
I would like to visit your beautiful country
at the end of september, so actually in a few months.
I'm arranging all the costs, (airport fees, tickets, hotel) , and especially I'm trying to inform myself about the "extra" costs that I could arrange to spend there.
I'm also trying to figure out the best way to reach Odessa from Kyev.
Do any of you living there have any idea??
I am trying to focus on my expedition in Kyev: I'm especially interested in History (given my university degree, contemporary history), so I'm planning to tour the most important things (Saint. Sofia,Saint Micheal, Saint Andrew churches) but also the famous ww2 monument of the mother Russia and everything I'll be documenting me on.
As for Odessa, I'll still have to see what to plan to visit!

The thing is: I would also like to tour the cities and see even things that usually tour operators don't show; the true life of Ukraine, famous and not famous museums, parks etc.
Is there someone in Kyev zone and Odessa zone that could help me?
Unfortunately I don't speak Russian (though I'm slowly learning. I started 2 months ago!). If there's someone that speaks engligh (or french, or Italian!) it would be great!

I leave also my email, in case someone wants to contact me in private!

email : meshtatel@yahoo.it

Thanks.Cheers

Rick