Surge in Ukrainian Men of Military Age Leaving the Country as Support Wanes in Host Nations
Wrocław, Poland – A growing number of Ukrainian men nearing military conscription age are leaving Ukraine, seeking refuge in neighboring European countries like Germany and Poland, according to recent data and firsthand accounts.This exodus comes as public support for accepting Ukrainian refugees begins to decline in host nations, and as political pressures mount to limit assistance.
Since the start of the war, Germany has granted temporary protection to over 1.2 million Ukrainians – the highest number within the European Union. However,a important recent increase shows a shift in who is seeking that protection. In October alone, Germany saw approximately 1,800 Ukrainian men of potential military age arrive each week, according to the German Interior Ministry.
Poland has experienced a similar surge. The Polish Border Guard reported over 121,000 Ukrainian men in the same age bracket entered the country as the end of August, a dramatic increase from the roughly 34,000 who arrived over the preceding eight months. While some are likely in transit,many,like Klim Milchenko,are choosing to remain.
“It feels like I’m starting a new life,” Milchenko told a reporter during a recent visit to Wrocław, Poland. He represents a growing cohort of Ukrainian men seeking a future outside of the ongoing conflict and potential conscription.
The influx is occurring against a backdrop of increasing strain on host nations. In wrocław, incidents of anti-Ukrainian sentiment have been reported, including vandalism targeting Ukrainian-owned vehicles and a violent assault motivated by perceived nationality. In September, a Ukrainian woman’s car was spray-painted with the message “to the front,” and a Polish man was charged with shooting and seriously injuring a romanian man he mistakenly believed to be Ukrainian.
Nationwide Polish polls indicate a steady decline in public support for accepting Ukrainian refugees, reaching it’s lowest level as Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Poland’s newly elected President, Karol Nawrocki, has pledged to reduce goverment support for Ukrainian refugees, while the far-right Confederation Party has criticized Ukrainian men who have relocated to Poland, accusing them of unfairly burdening Polish taxpayers.
However, a study by Poland’s National Progress Bank contradicts these claims, finding that Ukrainians actually contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits.
Milchenko’s experience reflects the challenges faced by these new arrivals. Despite applying to thirty different positions, he has received only one response – a swimming pool that ultimately rejected his application despite his lifeguard certification and prior experience in Kyiv. He suspects age or nationality played a role in the decision.
The situation highlights a complex dynamic: a desperate attempt by Ukrainian men to avoid military service,coupled with growing fatigue and political headwinds in the countries offering refuge. The long-term implications for both Ukraine and its European neighbors remain to be seen.
