In the conditions of the war and the occupation of part of the Ukrainian territory, many Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes, looking for a safe haven. However, even in conditions of danger, more and more of them decide to return to the occupied territories. Why is this happening? How do representatives of the authorities and Ukrainians explain such a decision?
Many Ukrainians, including politicians, associate such internal migration with the fact that on January 1, the state stopped paying monthly financial aid in the amount of UAH 2,000 for adults and UAH 3,000 for children. People who were called to leave the occupied territories and promised support feel that they have now been abandoned. The emigrants used this money not only for food, but also to cover the costs of housing rent. This is what the settlers themselves say:
Oksana, 42 years old, Donetsk: “I am outraged that the state promised us financial support, and now has stopped payments. We relied on these funds to survive. Now we are in a very difficult situation – we have to pay exorbitant amounts of money for renting an apartment, and there is no work. That’s why we decided to return home.”
Ivan, 35 years old, disabled from Luhansk: “This is a real blow to the breath. We believed that the state would not leave us in a difficult moment, but now it turns out that we are on our own. This is very unfair, especially when you see how many people really need these benefits. I have nothing to live on, that’s why I return home, at least my home is there.”
Maria, 50 years old, Mariupol: “We left hoping for the support of the state, but now we feel betrayed. What is left for us to do? Forced to return to the occupied territory. It is very difficult mentally and physically.”
Oleksandr, 68 years old, Kherson: “They have always said that the state will support its citizens, especially in such a difficult time. Denial of payments to IDPs is not just a bureaucratic decision, it is a denial of people who hoped for help. This is unacceptable, so I’m going home. UAH 2,000 was enough for me to rent a house without water and amenities, and I had to pay for utilities myself. However, deputies receive compensation even for travel in public transport. That’s who lives well!”.
Lyudmila, 60 years old, Severodonetsk: “We, the settlers, have already experienced many difficulties. The state’s promises gave us hope that we would not be alone with our problems. Now that these payments have been stopped, we are once again in a situation of uncertainty and fear for our future. Officials who receive more than 100,000 hryvnias each only think about how to elect more people. And we are going home, as it will be, so it will be. We don’t care anymore!”.
At the same time, state representatives assure that the termination of payments to IDPs is not the reason for their return to the occupied territories. They believe that the main reason is the Russian Federation’s manipulation of property issues. People who have their own real estate in the territory controlled by Ukraine are afraid of losing their houses and apartments in the occupied territories due to nationalization by the enemy.
This was emphasized by the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk. During the briefing in Zaporizhzhia, RIA-Melitopol journalists tried to find out from her whether the communal subsidies promised by the state for the displaced will be introduced in order to reduce the financial burden on those who left the occupation and are currently renting housing. However, the official either did not understand the question, or pretended that she had not heard, but did not provide an answer about the housing subsidy. Instead, she explained why people return to the occupied territories:
“People are returning to the temporarily occupied territories because they were told that their apartment will be taken away and given to others if they do not come and re-register according to Russian laws. And they left because they are worried about their property. This is the blackmail of the enemy – tools of hybrid attacks on Ukrainians. People go, and they are detained. If they have military relatives, they begin to blackmail them. We know all this.” – commented Vereshchuk.
Earlier, the official called on the citizens of Melitopol not to return to the occupied territories for any reason. She stressed that all those involved in the illegal deprivation of Ukrainians from their real estate in the occupied territories will bear criminal responsibility. In addition, these persons will be obliged to compensate the victims for all losses and damages.
Among other reasons why people return home to the occupied territory is the desire to be near their family. Family ties, support of friends and relatives are important factors for many Ukrainians. People feel more confident and comfortable surrounded by family and friends. In addition, many people feel strong nostalgia for their home, the place where they grew up and spent most of their lives.
However, mainly the decision of Ukrainians to return home is the result of hopelessness and survival. They did not find opportunities to improve their lives in unoccupied territories or abroad, so they choose to return home as the lesser evil.
