SPATIAL FEATURES OF UKRAINIAN MIGRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN MIGRATION SPACE

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study the spatial features of Ukrainian migration in relation to pan- European migration processes. The dynamics and geography of Ukrainian migration flows to European countries in 2010–2024 are analyzed. Three stages of the development of migration processes in Ukraine are considered and compared: before the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by the Russian aggressor in 2014; from 2014 to the COVID-19 pandemic; the period of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation (from February 24, 2022). It is noted that Europe is the most attractive region for Ukrainian migrants. It was found that before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, the largest share of Ukrainian migrants in European countries was labor migrants, who were most numerous in Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Italy. It is indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the main trend was general stagnation and reduction in population mobility, caused by restrictions on international travel, quarantine measures and the threat of infection. The current trends in migration of the Ukrainian population to European countries under the influence of the war are highlighted. It is noted that the Russian aggression influenced the choice of the destination country for finding employment, as a clear shift in the direction of migration from Russia and other post-Soviet countries in favor of European countries, especially Poland and Germany, is becoming noticeable. Territorial differences in the migration of Ukrainians in the European migration space during the war are revealed. It is established that after the Russian aggression, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic accepted the largest number of Ukrainian migrants. The leaders in terms of the number of Ukrainian refugees per 1,000 inhabitants are Moldova, the Czech Republic and Estonia, that is, mostly small countries in terms of population. The Czech Republic is one of the leading countries in terms of both the total number of Ukrainian migrants and their number per 1000 inhabitants.