A total of 9.5 million civilian Ukrainians have found themselves abroad due to Russia's full-scale invasion. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online meeting with the Hudson Institute. According to the head of state, this figure represents a significant share of the country's population who have lost their homes and jobs.
The human scale of the tragedy
The President of Ukraine emphasized that the ongoing military conflict should be measured not only by territories or percentages of occupied land, but above all by human lives. Citizens who ended up abroad have faced the loss of their usual lives, housing, and jobs. Zelenskyy noted that the scale of forced displacement encompasses about a quarter of Ukraine's former population of 40 million people.
Demographic challenges and expert estimates
The issue of large-scale migration is directly linked to the overall decline in population within the country. Previously, Ella Libanova, Director of the Institute for Demography and Quality of Life Research, stated that Ukraine's population has dropped to 28.5 million people. The expert named mass migration abroad as the primary factor for this decline, while direct casualties from combat play a smaller role in the general statistics of demographic contraction.
New rules and international requirements
Against the backdrop of millions of Ukrainians remaining in European countries, additional administrative and legal issues are arising. In particular, the European Union may require military registration documents when issuing or extending temporary protection. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine previously explained the procedure for citizens interacting with foreign migration agencies under the new regulations.
Significance for the future and security
The massive outflow of population poses complex challenges for the Ukrainian leadership regarding the return of citizens after stabilization. To create conditions for people to return safely, the authorities insist on obtaining reliable international security guarantees. The president mentioned ongoing work on bilateral security agreements with partner countries to prevent future armed aggression.
