Germany has reported a notable increase in the number of young Ukrainian men arriving in the country following Kyiv’s decision to ease travel restrictions for this group, the interior ministry in Berlin confirmed on Wednesday.
According to government data, the number of men aged 18 to 22 seeking refuge in Germany has risen sharply since August 26th, when Ukraine loosened its rules allowing them to leave. Weekly arrivals have averaged more than 1,000 since early September, reaching 1,796 in the week beginning October 6th—compared with just 138 during the week of August 25th.
“It is possible that this is a phase of increased migration, following the implementation of the regulations adopted this summer by Ukraine,” the ministry said, adding that the numbers “may decrease again.”
Since February 2022, more than 5.6 million Ukrainians have taken refuge abroad, the majority in Europe, with over one million currently residing in Germany.
Bavarian premier Markus Söder (CSU) commented earlier this week, saying, “A great many young men in particular are considering coming to Germany. They would be better off staying in their own country when it comes to military service there.”
