Ukraine Response — Regional Analysis — Ukrainians Crossing Back to Ukraine (April - June 2024)

This report focuses on individuals residing abroad who are either visiting Ukraine for a short period or have been living abroad and intend to return to Ukraine. For the first time in the Crossing Back Survey report series, this analysis excludes those who reside in Ukraine and are returning after a short visit abroad (n=544). This adjustment has significantly reduced the sample size of prospective returnees compared to previous quarters. Consequently, comparisons of the proportions of short-term visitors and prospective returnees to previous quarters are not valid.

Sections 1 to 7 focus on 4,030 surveys with adult Ukrainian nationals met at the border areas of neighbouring countries: Poland (187), Republic of Moldova (1,677), Romania (1,027), and Slovakia (1,139). In Section 8, evidence on persons interviewed while crossing back is complemented with data on returnees from abroad collected by DTM in Ukraine. Due to a low number of respondents, data from Hungary is excluded from the regional analysis and discussed separately in Section 9. The report also discusses the different profiles of Ukrainian nationals crossing back from Latvia to the Russian Federation with the aim to reach occupied areas of Ukraine. Those crossing back from Latvia are also presented separately in Section 10 because of the low number of respondents. The report ends with a short section elaborating on the Methodology.

Key findings:

• Among 4,030 Ukrainians, 93% were women and 7% were men.
• 11% of respondents were prospective returnees, 73% were short-term visitors and 16% were undecided.
• 66% stayed in neighbouring countries prior to crossing back
• Top reasons to cross back included: Meeting family members (51%), receiving medical care (23%), obtain/renew documents (23%), help with family responsibilities (16%), and check on property (12%).
• 73% of respondents received aid while abroad.
• Top 5 needs included: Financial support (24%), health services (21%), personal safety and security (18%), general information (13%) and assistance with documentation (9%).