For the first time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, Ukraine recorded a positive balance of border crossing: in 2026, the number of entries into the country exceeded the number of entries.
This was reported by the head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine Natalia Naumenko in a comment to the Glavkom,
informs the PromPolitInform portal.
According to her, in January-April 2026, 4.169 million people left Ukraine, while 4.186 million entered.
“Albeit not much – by 17 thousand, but this is the first period of positive dynamics of border crossings since the beginning of full-scale aggression,” Naumenko said.
Why Ukrainians began to return
The State Migration Service explains the change in trend by several factors.
Among the reasons are the stabilization of the energy system of Ukraine, financial difficulties during a long stay abroad, as well as changes in social policy in the countries of the European Union.
It is, in particular, the reduction of support programs for Ukrainian refugees and the abolition of part of the benefits.
At the same time, the LCA emphasizes that it is too early to talk about the mass return of citizens.
“But let’s be frank: it is unrealistic to expect a mass return in conditions of active hostilities. Tangible changes will occur no earlier than the post-war period,” said Naumenko.
Recall that the status of Ukrainians in the EU after 2027 will change: the European Commission talked about discussing the future of temporary protection.
Photo – from open sources
