Published on: 2026-11-06
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
November 6, 2026 Refugees and migrants
Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes due to the war continue to regularly travel back to their homeland, but the majority do not plan to stay there for long. This is stated in a new report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
A trip home is an opportunity to see your loved ones
Almost nine out of ten Ukrainians surveyed, who crossed the border of Poland – an important transportation hub – on their way home, stated that they plan to spend no more than 30 days in their homeland.
“For many Ukrainians, a trip home is an opportunity to see their relatives, receive medical assistance, or spend a few days in a place they haven’t seen for years,” said Artur Erken, Regional Director of IOM for Europe and Central Asia.
“But coming to visit is not the same as having the ability to stay. Many still live between their country and the place where they are now,” he added.
Connection with the homeland
According to the report, despite years spent away from home, the connection to their homeland remains strong among Ukrainians. On average, respondents have lived abroad for nearly three years. More than 75 percent of them crossed the Ukrainian border at least three times after leaving the country for the first time. Sixteen percent reported crossing it 10 times or more.
Most were heading to familiar places, primarily to meet with relatives. Nearly seven out of ten planned to stay in their own homes, the rest with relatives. Overall, 85 percent intend to return to their region of origin.
Only eight percent of surveyed Ukrainians who lived abroad reported that they plan to stay in Ukraine for more than 30 days. Another five percent were undecided.
Access to medical services
Safety considerations still influence the decisions of Ukrainians. In an IOM survey conducted at the end of 2025, 56 percent of people who returned from abroad stated they would likely leave their current place of residence if there were an escalation of long-range strikes by Russia there. Among the general population of Ukraine, 34 percent of respondents gave this answer.
Access to medical care remains an important problem for Ukrainians. Almost every third respondent reported that they are returning home because they need medical services. In the previous survey conducted in 2024, nearly every fifth person gave this answer. The proportion of those who did not report urgent medical needs decreased from 43 to 30 percent.
Difficulties faced by returning Ukrainians
A study published by IOM in August 2026 talked about the difficulties faced by many returnees. Of the 1.5 million people who returned from abroad, about 398 thousand did not come home, but to other regions of Ukraine: their homes were damaged and destroyed.
Returnees also report difficulties in finding stable employment and suitable housing, as well as accessing psychological support, especially in the first year after returning.
To create adequate conditions for return, IOM works with national and local authorities: expanding employment opportunities, facilitating expanded access to basic services, including medical care, and helping to restore housing and infrastructure.
Please be advised; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.