Millions of Ukrainians are returning to their homeland from the EU despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Why are they returning, and how are they managing this return? This question is being explored by scholars from the University of Turku (Finland) in collaboration with researchers in Ukraine. Jussi S. Jauhiainen, Professor of Geography at the University of Turku (Finland) member of the MIrreM project, investigates.
The findings presented here are based on surveys and interviews conducted in 2024 with Ukrainians who fled their country after the war began in 2022 but have since returned and are now living in Ukraine. While the study is ongoing, we highlight six key findings from our research thus far. For the longer report, please see the report here.
First, following the Russian military invasion in February 2022, millions of Ukrainians fled their homes. Many sought safety within Ukraine, moving from the east and northeast to western regions. Cities like Lviv saw their populations surge to over a million. This internal displacement has strained both displaced individuals and host communities. However, labor shortages in eastern, non-occupied regions have facilitated internal return migration, allowing many to rebuild their lives closer to home.
Second, in early 2022, millions of Ukrainians, primarily women and children, fled to Europe while most men stayed in Ukraine. Their migration was facilitated by the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), activated for the first time. This mechanism was designed over 20 years ago but never used before, not even during 2015 when larger numbers of migrants sought asylum in the EU. Displaced Ukrainians were provided with temporary protection, residency and access to housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social support. Surveys of returnees show high overall satisfaction with these services, particularly housing, though fewer were satisfied with employment and healthcare. Limited local language skills often made finding suitable jobs challenging.
Third, war-displaced Ukrainians initially experienced a welcoming environment in the EU, with support from the European Commission, state and local authorities, NGOs, and local communities. However, as the war extends beyond 1,000 days, growing discontent about hosting Ukrainians has emerged in some parts of Europe. This shifting attitude is becoming an increasing push factor for their return to Ukraine.
Fourth, nearly all war-displaced Ukrainians abroad maintained strong connections to their homeland. They actively used social media and internet calls to stay in touch with family and friends. Around one-third visited Ukraine at least annually, often during Easter and summer holidays. Many experienced emotional distress from being separated from loved ones and missing Ukrainian culture, including its food and traditions.
Fifth, return migration reasons vary. For some, returning fulfilled a mission: escaping the immediate dangers of war and coming back when Ukraine's resistance made it feel safer. For others, the return was a setback. Circumstances forced them to go back before achieving their goals abroad. Many returns were crisis-driven, such as the need to care for family members in Ukraine or reunite with loved ones.
Sixth, returning Ukrainians are working to reintegrate into their home country. While most report being relatively satisfied with their daily lives despite the ongoing war, our surveys and interviews reveal a significant decline in those fully satisfied with life, alongside worsening mental health for many. Despite these challenges, the majority intend to stay in Ukraine. Only one in six plans to leave if safety cannot be ensured, while one in five remains uncertain about future migration plans.
The war will eventually end, and Ukrainians will take different paths forward. Some will remain in the countries that provided them refuge, others will divide their lives and activities between Ukraine and their host countries, while many will return and settle permanently in Ukraine. The reconstruction of Ukraine presents a significant social and economic challenge, amplified by the millions of individual connections established between Ukrainians and their host countries during the war—connections that can play a vital role in the rebuilding process.
It is very important to study and improve support systems for returning migrants in Ukraine. Successful reintegration of individuals fosters their commitment to contribute to Ukraine's recovery and sustainable social and economic development. Collaborative research with Ukrainian partners is critical to addressing this pressing social issue effectively and showing that academics care about their colleagues in Ukraine.
About the Author
Professor Jussi S. Jauhiainen is Professor of Geography at the University of Turku (Finland) and Visiting Professor at the University of Tartu (Estonia). He is the contact person for the MIrreM project in Finland (jusaja@utu.fi). He has published articles, reports and books on asylum seekers and undocumented migrants and their migration journeys. Recent publications regard temporary protection of Ukrainians, undocumented migrants in Lesvos (Greece) and everyday lives of undocumented migrants in Finland.