Migration Policy of Ukraine: Legal Regulation and European Integration

Massive shelling of the energy infrastructure prompted Ukrainians to migrate abroad. Indeed, the number of departures from Ukrainian territory in November 2022 increased by 17% compared to October; in December, it rose by 39% overall. These findings are evidenced by the results of a study conducted by the Civil Network OPORA, the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory, and the telecommunications company “Vodafone Ukraine”, which provided the data for the calculations.

Demographic and migration crises are some of the major challenges caused by the full-scale invasion. In fact, the Kremlin has sent Ukraine's human capital situation into a steep dive. However, demographic problems are not new for our country, they have been challenging us for a long time now.  The 1990s optimistic advertising slogan of “We are 52 million” has never been true to fact. Today, it looks like from a different reality.

Civil Network OPORA jointly with International Center for Ukrainian Victory and mobile operator “Vodafone Ukraine” conducted a research study on “How the migration of Ukraine’s population was affected by Russian shelling attacks in October 2022 – January 2023”, the results of which were submitted to the International Criminal Court via the Prosecutor General’s office of Ukraine. The research findings offer illuminating insights into the scope and impact of Russian aggression on the territory of Ukraine.

In this study, we analyzed Ukrainians' migration trends and scale following the Russian shelling in the joint study by Civil Network OPORA,8 International Center for Ukrainian Victory,9 and Vodafone Ukraine10 tele- communications company. The data for the calculations was provided by the Vodafone mobile operator.

Read how Russian shelling has affected the migration of Kyiv residents in a joint study by the Civil Network OPORA and Kyivstar Telecommunications Company.

As of June 2023, 8,177 mln citizens of Ukraine stayed abroad. It is about 20% of the country’s population before February 24, 2022. The data comes from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided to the request of Civil Network OPORA. However, there are no precise numbers of Ukrainian migrants abroad because different institutions use different counting methodologies. OPORA analyzed and compared all available data in order to get as accurate indicators as possible.

Almost 500 days have passed since February 24. Some Ukrainians who had left abroad have returned home, others have integrated into the society of a new country, but there are also those who are leaving Ukraine today. Based on the data we processed, the number of present-day emigrees today is growing.

Russia's armed aggression forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes in search of security, either inside or outside the country. While the war continues, the pace of migration remains high. One of the key issues on the agenda today is the political reintegration of Ukrainian citizens who have found their temporary refuge abroad. The international community, host countries, and the Ukrainian government should create policies for the integration of Ukrainians into Ukraine’s recovery str...