Amid the ongoing conflict that has consumed Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the lives of 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees remain in limbo. Scattered across Europe and beyond, many find themselves rebuilding from scratch while grappling with the pain of severed connections and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. For some, like Yana Felos, a 34-year-old mother, returning to Ukraine feels like an impossible dream.

Felos arrived in London in April 2022 with a single suitcase and her young daughter, Alisa. She left behind not only her home but also the remnants of her community in eastern Ukraine. With her parents deceased, her grandmother stuck in Belarus, and old friends adopting pro-Russian views, Felos’ ties to her homeland have unraveled.

“I started over completely,” Felos says, reflecting on her journey to a foreign land where she had no family or friends. Settling with a host family in the United Kingdom, she began piecing together a new life—a process that has led her to secure a teaching job and her own apartment in London. Yet the future remains fraught with challenges, not least the impending expiration of her refugee visa in 2025. “There is no backup plan,” she admits.

A Nation’s Call for Return

While individuals like Felos forge new beginnings abroad, Ukraine’s government faces the mounting challenge of a dwindling population. Most refugees are women and children, with men often barred from leaving due to martial law. Recognizing the potential for long-term demographic and economic harm, Ukraine has launched initiatives to encourage their return, including the establishment of a Ministry of National Unity.

“We can’t pressure anyone,” President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an October press conference. “But I urge Ukrainians abroad to come back, to contribute to our defense, and to rebuild our country.”

This call comes as Ukraine navigates the dual burdens of sustaining morale and addressing widespread destruction. Over 250,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, according to the Kyiv School of Economics, including tens of thousands of homes and apartment blocks. Meanwhile, relentless missile strikes and drone attacks have kept the population on edge, making the prospect of return daunting for many.

Fragmented Lives, Tough Decisions

Economic realities compound the difficulty. Many Ukrainian refugees, despite being highly educated, face underemployment abroad. Maryana Voronovych, a volunteer in Austria, describes the current wave of displaced Ukrainians as “the most professional refugee wave in recent history,” noting that the vast majority hold university degrees but are relegated to low-paying jobs.

Still, the desire to return persists for some. Victoria Rybka, a police officer from Kharkiv, fled with her two daughters early in the war but soon felt the pull of home. In Germany, her children struggled to adjust—one daughter’s stress manifested in a skin condition, while the other faced language barriers at school. “I can’t leave my husband,” Rybka explains, recounting her decision to return to Kharkiv despite the risks.

In her empty neighborhood, where schools reopened in underground shelters, the trickle of returning families has offered a glimmer of normalcy. “Everyone makes their own choice,” Rybka says. “For me, this is home.”

The Weight of Uncertainty

As the war grinds on, the prospect of lasting displacement looms. For those who remain abroad, the emotional and logistical hurdles to returning grow with each passing month. Economists warn of the long-term impacts of this “brain drain,” with Professor Ella Libanova of the Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies emphasizing, “Every month of war leads to fewer people returning.”

The situation may worsen before it improves. Once martial law is lifted, experts anticipate a new wave of migration as men reunite with their families abroad. Meanwhile, the conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain, with Zelensky and international leaders voicing hopes for a resolution in 2025.

For refugees like Felos, however, the question isn’t just about when the war will end, but what comes next. She focuses on building a stable future for her daughter in London, saying, “I’ve let go of the idea of going back.” Like millions of others, her story reflects the complex reality of displacement—a story of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring hope for peace.