155,000 Russian Citizens Currently Residing in Ukraine

As of April 30, 2026

According to Главком: As of April 30, 2026, there are 155,233 citizens of the Russian Federation living in Ukraine. Among them, 900 hold temporary residence permits, while 154,333 have permanent residence status. Nataliia Naumenko, head of the State Migration Service, noted that over 95% of Russian nationals in Ukraine have family ties to Ukrainians or historical-territorial roots in the country.

Work Permits

In 2025, Ukraine issued only 29 work permits for Russian citizens-a dramatic drop from 1,243 permits in 2021. This represents a 43-fold decrease in employment authorizations. Naumenko emphasized that new hiring of Russian nationals has effectively halted:

“Compared to the same period in 2021, when 1,243 such permits were issued, that’s a 43-fold decline!” - Nataliia Naumenko

The overall flow of crossings at the Ukraine-Russia border has fallen to just 1% of pre-war levels. Following the onset of the full-scale invasion, a visa regime was introduced between the two countries, further reshaping migration patterns. According to Naumenko, the majority of Russian citizens legally residing in Ukraine obtained their permanent or temporary residence permits through family reunification programs, where their relatives are Ukrainian citizens:

“This is the most common category, so to speak, of legalized citizens of the Russian Federation.” - Nataliia Naumenko

These trends point to a sharp reduction in migration from Russia to Ukraine and a shift in the profile of those who are legally residing in the country.

The data highlights major changes in Ukraine’s migration policy, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The introduction of visa requirements and the steep decline in work permits reflect the government’s efforts to control migration flows and limit the presence of Russian citizens in the labor market. At the same time, the high proportion of legalized residents with family connections to Ukrainians suggests that humanitarian processes linked to family ties continue, despite political and social challenges.

As the situation evolves, it's essential to understand the broader implications of migration trends in Ukraine. Recent reports indicate a significant rise in misinformation surrounding migrants, which may affect public perception and policy decisions. Exploring these narratives can provide valuable context for the ongoing changes in migration patterns and their social impact.