External migration of Ukrainians before and after full-scale aggression (comparative analysis)
Authors:   NGO “Ukrainian Institute for Social Research after Olexander Yaremenko” 26, Panasa Myrnoho Str., Кyiv, 01011, Ukraine, Bondar T. V. , Haniukov O. A. ,   NGO “Ukrainian Institute for Social Research after Olexander Yaremenko” 26, Panasa Myrnoho Str., Кyiv, 01011, Ukraine
Published: June 2023

The paper compares external migration features before and after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The authors analysed the main reasons and circumstances of migration in each period, the impact of migration on the daily life of migrants, the realisation of the right to work, living conditions, the situation in communities and communities in which migrants live, and the attitude towards them. The problems of caring for children in migrant families and the peculiarities of realising children’s right to education are considered. The most common issues that arise in communications and relationships in migrant families are analysed. Recommendations are offered for improving the situation of migrants, realising their needs and interests, and ensuring compliance with their rights and that of their children. The authors compare features of external migration before the beginning of 2022 and with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and reveal the common features and differences between these two stages of migration. The main reasons and circumstances of external migration in the pre-war period and after the full-scale invasion are determined. It is noted that before the beginning of the armed aggression of Russia, the departure of Ukrainians abroad had clearly defined signs of labour migration, and with the beginning of the war, the main argument in favour of leaving Ukraine became the desire to ensure security for themselves and their children. Three stages of the migration process are distinguished and characterised: the stage of relocation (evacuation), the stage of adaptation and the stage of integration. The authors analyse the leading causes and circumstances of migration in each period, the impact of migration on the daily life of migrants, the realisation of the right to work, living conditions, access to medical services, the situation in communities and communities in which migrants live, and attitudes towards them. Approaches to the segmentation of migrants are proposed depending on the circumstances of their departure from Ukraine, family status and the situation in the host countries. The peculiarities of the employment of Ukrainians abroad in the pre-war period and after the beginning of the war are given and the geographical, professional, gender and other parameters of labour activity of migrants are analysed. The specifics of the education and upbringing of migrant children, the peculiarities of children’s right to education were analysed, the problems of education, interpersonal relations between different generations of migrants, the impact of migration on the psychological state of children and their socialisation processes were considered. The level of information and legal awareness of migrants was studied, and the lack of systematic knowledge of Ukrainian and foreign legislation regulating migration was recorded among many migrants. A list of the most urgent needs of migrants and their family members is given. Typical differences between migrants and their family members in their perception and planning of their future are analysed. Recommendations are offered for improving the situation of migrants, realising their needs and interests, and ensuring compliance with their rights and that of their children.