Russia, without adequate international pressure, continues its attacks on Ukraine. In the coming months, more than 100,000 Ukrainians may flee abroad again, reports the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Most are likely to choose Europe as a temporary place to stay. The longer the war in Ukraine continues, the more new waves of refugees will enter EU countries.
Repeated departures: when resilience fails
Some of those who fled during previous waves — over 325,000 people — have returned home.
More than a third of these returnees are considering leaving again due to danger and power outages.
The IOM emphasizes that after four years of war, even resilience and determination cannot sustain families through another winter with electricity cuts and freezing temperatures.
Safety, heat, and water — not a luxury
Safe housing, reliable energy supply, and basic services are fundamental conditions for security, survival, and human dignity, stresses IOM Director General Amy Pope.
Without ongoing assistance, power outages may force families to leave their homes again, undermining hard-won returns.
As of January 2026, 3.7 million internally displaced persons are in Ukraine.
Since the start of the war, over 4.4 million people have returned home.
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