Over 155,000 Russian Citizens Are Officially in Ukraine

Latest Figures on Russian Nationals in Ukraine

According to Укрінформ — Мігранти: Nataliia Naumenko, head of Ukraine’s State Migration Service, has released updated statistics on Russian citizens legally residing in Ukraine, along with a dramatic drop in border crossings between the two countries. As of April 30, 2026, there are 155,233 Russian nationals officially present in Ukraine. Among them:

• 900 hold temporary residence permits,
• 154,333 have permanent residence status.

Naumenko noted that more than 95% of these individuals have family ties to Ukrainians or historical-territorial roots in the country. Despite this population size, only 29 work permits for Russian citizens were issued in 2025. This marks a 43-fold decrease compared to 2021, when 1,243 such permits were granted.

Border Crossings Plummet

Additionally, the overall flow of crossings along the Ukraine-Russia border has fallen to just 1% of pre-war levels. This sharp decline followed the introduction of a visa regime with Russia, which took effect in July 2022 after a government decision approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“The total number of Ukraine-Russia border crossings has dropped to 1% of what it was before the war.” - Nataliia Naumenko

These figures point to a significant reduction in migration from Russia to Ukraine, driven by stricter border controls and the shifting political landscape. The steep drop in work permits may also reflect broader economic conditions and changing attitudes toward Russian citizens on Ukrainian soil. Amid the ongoing war, these developments are likely to shape the future of Ukraine-Russia relations.

The recent statistics on Russian citizens in Ukraine highlight a complex situation that has sparked various narratives. As migration patterns shift, it's essential to understand the broader context, including the surge of misinformation regarding migrants. To explore how these developments are influencing public perception and policy, read more about the wave of disinformation affecting migrants in Ukraine.