The variety of Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s battle to hunt security European Union international locations has risen to its highest degree in two years, after Kyiv modified the foundations to permit extra younger males to go away the nation, official figures counsel.
In September, EU international locations granted 79,205 new non permanent safety selections to Ukrainians — a 49 p.c improve from August and the biggest month-to-month rise since August 2023. The leap got here after Ukraine allowed males aged 18 to 22 to go away the nation freely.
By the top of September, 4.3 million Ukrainians have been below non permanent safety within the EU, a particular standing designed to deal with a mass inflow of displaced individuals who can’t return residence. Germany, Poland and Czechia hosted the biggest shares, whereas Czechia had the very best ratio of non permanent safety beneficiaries to the inhabitants (35.7 per 1,000).
Poland registered the most important improve in absolute numbers, including practically 13,000 new beneficiaries, adopted by Germany (+7,600) and Czechia (+3,500). Solely France noticed a small decline of 240 individuals.
Ladies made up 44 p.c of all these protected, minors 31 p.c, and males about 25 p.c. Ukrainians represented over 98 p.c of all individuals granted non permanent safety below the EU’s scheme, which was prolonged in June till March 2027.
The figures come amid rising political unease in Germany and Poland, the place politicians warned that the inflow of younger Ukrainian males might erode public help for Kyiv.
Far-right events seized on the difficulty, accusing refugees of dodging navy service and overburdening welfare programs.