Ukrainians Return to Occupied Territories: A Risky Choice
Ukraine’s occupied territories are seeing a trickle of returnees, although their numbers remain relatively small. The majority are older individuals, primarily women, driven by a complex mix of reasons.
Faced with a chilling new reality in the occupied territories, the Russians have implemented a program seemingly designed to disenfranchise Ukrainians from their property. In the spring, they introduced a pseudo-legal form of expropriation, giving homeowners a short window: either physically return and begin using their property or sell it. Failure to comply means facing the “nationalization” of their homes and apartments.
There’s a catch, however. To potentially sell their property, Ukrainians must either accept Russian citizenship – effectively renouncing their Ukrainian identity – or pay a hefty sum to resolve the issue.
Many of those who fled Mariupol confirm that acquaintances have decided to return, primarily to sell their surviving real estate.
Others, however, choose to return simply because it’s their home. Alexander, who fled to Finland in the early days of the war, shared that two friends of his mother hope to receive apartments in new buildings in Mariupol, replacing the homes destroyed by the fighting.
Estimates about how many have decided to return to Mariupol are varied. Alexander believes the number could be around 20,000, based on his network of contacts, noting they are mostly elderly people and many women. But another woman, who has never left Mariupol, believes the figure to be much lower, estimating around 5,000.
The lack of concrete figures speaks volumes about the complex and risky reality on the ground.
It’s believed that fear plays a role in the silence surrounding the situation. “Everyone assumes their phones are being tapped,” explains a refugee living in one of the Baltic countries. “No one will take such a risk.”
Despite the lack of firsthand accounts, the phenomenon of Ukrainians returning to occupied territories is increasingly corroborated by various sources.
Recent reports suggest that around 150,000 Ukrainians who previously fled have now returned to Russian-occupied areas. In Mariupol alone, out of the 200,000 residents who fled,
authorities estimate that 70,000 have returned.
Insufficient support from the Ukrainian state for refugees, particularly those seeking to rebuild their lives elsewhere, is cited as a contributing factor driving this decision.
Others suggest that some individuals merely want to capitalize on the current situation, choosing to sell their remaining properties under Russia’s terms and use the proceeds to start anew elsewhere in Europe or Ukraine.
Pyotr Andryushchenko, advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, confirms that up to 40,000 people have returned to the city.
While the motives behind
returning to the occupied territories are diverse and complex, they paint a somber picture of the enduring human cost of war. For many, the decision comes down to unbearable loss – the loss of home, community, and national identity.
Others face the impossible choice between remaining displaced or returning to a place forever altered by conflict. The return to occupied territories is far from straightforward, highlighting the ongoing struggle and painful realities for Ukrainians caught in the midst of this devastating conflict.
What are the risks and consequences for Ukrainians who choose to return to occupied territories?
## Ukrainians Return to Occupied Territories: A Risky Choice
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the difficult choices facing Ukrainians in occupied territories. Joining us is [Guest Name], an expert on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.
**Guest:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** There are reports of Ukrainians returning to occupied territories like Mariupol. What’s prompting this return, and who are these people?
**Guest:** It seems like a combination of factors is driving this trickle of returnees. Many are older individuals, often women, who had to flee in the war’s earlier stages. They’re facing a desperate situation. The Russians have introduced a program that essentially forces Ukrainians to choose between returning, potentially selling their property, or losing it altogether.
**Host:** This sounds incredibly coercive. Can you elaborate on this program?
**Guest:** It’s essentially an expropriation scheme disguised as legality. Ukrainians are given a limited window to either physically return and start using their homes again or sell them. If they don’t comply, the Russians threaten to ”nationalize” the property.
**Host:** And what about those who want to sell?
**Guest:** That’s where it becomes even more complicated. They’re faced with a stark choice: accept Russian citizenship and renounce their Ukrainian identity or pay a hefty sum to resolve the issue. It’s a deeply unfair system designed to pressure Ukrainians into submission.
**Host:** It’s hard to imagine the kind of pressure these individuals are under. Are there any estimates on how many have returned to Mariupol?
**Guest:** It’s difficult to say for sure. Estimates vary wildly. Some believe it could be as high as 20,000, based on anecdotal accounts from people with contacts in the city. Others suggest a much lower number, closer to 5,000. The lack of reliable data underscores the complexity and risk involved in returning.
**Host:** This is a deeply concerning situation.
**Guest:** Absolutely. These are incredibly difficult decisions for Ukrainians forced to choose between their homes, their identity, and their safety. Even for those who decide to go back, the future remains uncertain.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this incredibly difficult situation. It’s a powerful reminder of the human cost of this war. [Guest Name], thanks for joining us.