How 50 to 70 Ukrainians Return from Occupied Territories Every Day.

Returning from Occupation: A Daily Reality for Ukrainians

According to Novyny.live: Every day, between 50 and 70 people manage to come back from areas under Russian control, according to Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. These numbers reflect a steady flow of citizens determined to reach their homes despite the ongoing challenges on the front lines. This movement highlights the resilience of those who refuse to stay in occupied zones, even as the war continues to shape daily life across the region.

While border checkpoints with Belarus and Russia remain closed, crossing into Ukraine is still possible—even for those lacking proper documents. This policy is designed to make it easier for Ukrainians stranded in occupied territory to return. Andriy Demchenko stressed the significance of this approach, stating:

'No Ukrainian citizen can be denied the right to come home.' — Andriy Demchenko

It is worth noting that traveling to the aggressor state is not legally prohibited, which may encourage those planning to re-enter Ukraine. In May 2023, Russian forces recorded their slowest advance since October 2023, seizing only about 14 square kilometers of Ukrainian land. The combination of limited enemy gains and active citizen returns paints a complex but dynamic picture of the current situation.

The Psychological Dimension of Returning Home

The steady return of Ukrainians from occupied areas goes beyond a simple desire to reconnect with their homes—it may also signal a shift in the public's psychological outlook. The fact that people are coming back even amid active combat underscores the critical need to maintain humanitarian corridors and ensure the safety of civilians. This trend could shape the government's future strategies for facilitating returns and reclaiming control over territories still under occupation.