Ukraine’s Forced Migration Crisis: Ombudsman Reveals the Scale

The Scope of Forced Displacement Among Ukrainians

According to Главком: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, has disclosed the extent of forced migration affecting Ukrainians and outlined the prerequisites for their return home. According to UNHCR data, over 5.7 million Ukrainians have left the country since 2022. When factoring in the start of Russian aggression in 2014, that number climbs to 8.5 million. Lubinets emphasized that this situation represents a global challenge requiring coordinated international action.

The Ombudsman’s office has also encountered cases where Ukrainian children were taken by foreign child protection authorities, particularly in Italy. Lubinets noted that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) explicitly prohibits the adoption of children from countries experiencing active conflict, and he urged global partners to address this issue.

“We respond firmly to such incidents,” he stated.

Conditions Needed for Return

Two key conditions are essential for a large-scale return of Ukrainians:

• reliable international security guarantees;
• a dedicated international housing initiative.

“These conditions are necessary-without them, a mass return will not happen,” Lubinets said.

At the same time, statistics show a decline in the number of immigrants and asylum seekers within European Union countries. The influx of new migrants to the EU has dropped from 5.4 million to 4.5 million over the past four years, a 24% decrease as of 2024. There has also been a rise in repatriation decisions across the EU, with Germany, France, and Sweden leading in deportations. In 2025, the number of asylum seekers granted protected status fell to 361,000-the lowest level since 2019.

Separately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced changes to rules for adjusting immigration status. Under the new requirements, foreign nationals on temporary visas in the U.S. must leave the country and undergo processing in their home nations through the State Department to obtain a green card.

As a result, the migration situation for Ukrainians remains complex, demanding careful monitoring and appropriate action from international organizations and governments.

This information underscores the severity of the humanitarian crisis Ukraine faces due to the prolonged war. The forced displacement of millions of Ukrainians necessitates not only urgent solutions to humanitarian issues but also the creation of conditions for the stable return of refugees. International support and coordinated efforts in this area are critical to rebuilding the country and providing its citizens with a safe environment to live.

As the situation evolves, the tightening of regulations by EU countries has led to a significant increase in the repatriation of Ukrainians. This development underscores the challenges highlighted by Dmytro Lubinets regarding the need for international support to ensure safe returns. For a deeper understanding of how these new policies are impacting Ukrainian migrants, read more about the increased returns of Ukrainians due to stricter EU rules.