Ukraine
Ukraine: Organized Crime Dynamics in the Context of War
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022, the political economy of Ukraine has been profoundly transformed. The aggression affected both licit and illicit trade routes, disrupted criminal organizations, and spawned new forms of informal and illicit exchange at the frontline and in the rear of the country. It has also led to the emergence of new challenges, such as the development of new skills and technologies that could be exploited by transnational organized crime. This report aims to address the following overarching questions: how has the ongoing war against Ukraine affected organized crime and illicit markets in Ukraine, and what are the possible implications for the country, the region and the international community? These questions are addressed through research into the following six areas: Organized crime structures and their evolution; Drug supply and demand, including production and trafficking; Online scams, and cyber and telephone fraud; Arms trafficking; Economic crime, including smuggling of cigarettes and custom fraud; Trafficking in persons; The facilitation of illegal exit and draft evasion. To address the overarching research question about the effects of the war on organized crime and illicit markets, the chapters compare data for the pre-war and post-invasion periods. The report covers the period of January 2021 to June 2024, with background data for 2019-2020 and preceding periods where available and relevant, used for contextualization. It is based on desk research and in-country fieldwork, with analysis of publicly available official statistics and secondary literature, court decisions and key informant interviews. Field data collection and analysis were conducted from December 2023 to June 2024 (see Annex A for more details). The overall purpose of this research is to provide an evidence base to the government of Ukraine and national agencies involved in responding to organized crime, the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, and other UN Member States, for countering crime-related challenges emerging out of the war against Ukraine. This research focuses on government-controlled parts of Ukraine. Consideration of alleged war crimes is outside the scope of this research.
Local Migration Governance in Ukraine
Well-developed Areas and Opportunities for Development
In 2024, IOM conducted four local Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) assessments in Ukraine, in coordination with the public authorities of Kharkiv City, Odesa City, Stryi Territorial Community and Lviv Oblast. The MGIs – IOM’s flagship initiative on migration governance – is a critical tool to support governments in assessing the comprehensiveness of their migration policies, as well as in identifying gaps and areas that could be strengthened. This report examines common well-developed policy areas and those with potential for future development in local migration governance, based on data collected during the MGI assessments. Its aim is to improve understanding of local migration management and highlight existing challenges, thereby supporting evidence-based and well-informed decision-making and policy development in Ukraine.
The Impact of the Armed Conflict and Occupation on Children’s Rights in Ukraine
24 February 2022 — 31 December 2024
This report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) describes widespread violations of the rights of the child in the context of prolonged hostilities and occupation following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. It covers the period from 24 February 2022 to 31 December 2024 and is based on the work of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). The extensive use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas has killed and injured children, and damaged or destroyed homes, schools, medical facilities, and electricity infrastructure. The continuous hostilities have disrupted essential services for children and driven displacement, undermining children’s enjoyment of their rights to health, housing, education, family life, and an adequate standard of living, among others. Furthermore, Ukraine now has one of the highest prevalence of explosive remnants of war and landmines globally, which will likely cause continuing casualties among children in particular far into the future.
Study on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in the Context of the Displacement caused by the War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has resulted in millions of people being displaced internally and outside the country since February 2022. This UNODC study, launched in February 2025, examines the risks and incidence of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in the context of the displacement caused by the conflict in Ukraine, and the implications for policy and practice. The research analyses the evolution of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants during the years 2022 to 2024, based on relevant literature, statistics, a survey in 2023 of over 1,600 Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians displaced from Ukraine and key informant interviews in Ukraine, Germany, Poland and Switzerland. The study finds that the incidence of smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons in the context of the displacement remain relatively low as of the time of publication. The refugee response in Europe – maintaining visa-free entry for refugees from Ukraine and facilitating rapid access to temporary protection or equivalent legal residence statuses – largely prevented smuggling of migrants, in a situation where over 6.7 million people from Ukraine sought refuge abroad.
Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025
This document is consolidated by OCHA on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team and partners. It provides a shared understanding of the impact of the war on the people of Ukraine, including the most pressing humanitarian needs, the estimated number of people who need assistance. It also outlines the strategy to ensure adequate and timely life-saving and life-sustaining response, and the financial request to make humanitarian operations possible.
Project Report: Local Resilience Building in Ukraine
Recommendations
The Local Resilience Building in Ukraine project sought to support the engagement of Ukrainian cities and regions in the global Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative, which works towards developing local strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR). The project focused on supporting a set of baseline resilience assessments in four Ukrainian cities (Lviv, Mykolaiv, Ostroh and Vinnytsia) and one region (Rivne Oblast), using the MCR2030 Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities preliminary level assessment methodology. From November 2023 to February 2024, the project aimed to assess resilience levels and provide actionable recommendations for enhancing local climate resilience and recovery strategies.
Décryptage: Ukraine : l’impact de la guerre sur la science
Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan 2023
This document is consolidated by OCHA on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team and partners. The Humanitarian Response Plan is a presentation of the coordinated, strategic response devised by humanitarian agencies in order to meet the acute needs of people affected by the crisis. It is based on, and responds to, evidence of needs described in the Humanitarian Needs Overview.
Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024
This document is consolidated by OCHA on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team and partners. It provides a shared understanding of the impact of the war on the people of Ukraine, including the most pressing humanitarian needs, the estimated number of people who need assistance. It also outlines the strategy to ensure adequate and timely life-saving and life-sustaining response, and the financial request to make humanitarian operations possible.
Assessment of the Impact of the War on Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized Enterprises in Ukraine
This assessment has been developed by the Centre for Economic Recovery (CER) and Advanter Group under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Support to Ukraine” in cooperation with Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Ukraine’s economy, comprising 99.98% of all business entities, providing 74% of all jobs, and creating 64% of value added. This assessment provides a snapshot on the status of MSMEs as of the end of 2023 and includes a comprehensive analysis of the impact of war and challenges faced by MSMEs in Ukraine in the ensuing period and highlighting their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. The assessment identifies MSME needs and provides a set of recommendations to increase MSMEs resilience and underpin recovery and sustainable growth of Ukrainian economy. A gender lens has been applied throughout the assessment. This assessment is based on a wide range of primary and secondary data collected in multiple surveys undertaken in various time intervals from March 2022 to December 2023, and substantive desk research conducted in December 2023. The analysis enabled to identify the impact of key economical, political, and social trends and governmental actions on MSME’s operations.
Post-disaster Needs Assessment: 2023 Kakhovka Dam Disaster, Ukraine
The Post Disaster Needs Assessment report of the Kakhovka Dam Disaster was jointly prepared by the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on 6th June 2023 is another devastating consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The breach led to extensive flooding, impacting 80 settlements across four oblasts: Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. Approximately 100,000 residents were directly affected by the resulting deluge. The destruction of the dam also disrupted critical aspects of life in southern Ukraine, including energy production, access to drinking water, irrigation, and river transport. It left a trail of damage in housing, infrastructure, the environment, and cultural heritage. Based on a “Build Back Better” approach, the PDNA estimates the total recovery and reconstruction needs to be approximately $5.04 billion, with $1.82 billion required in the immediate/short-term. The report puts forth suggestions for addressing the short-term needs in 2023-24, and for tailoring the response to meet recovery and reconstruction needs over the medium and long term, spanning the next ten years until 2033.
Ukraine Situation: Regional Refugee Response Plan - January-December 2024
The war in Ukraine has been the fastest growing and largest displacement crisis in Europe since World War II and has precipitated a regional refugee response of commensurate scale. In the nearly two years since the Russian Federation’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the flow of refugees into neighbouring countries, and beyond, has been met by a remarkable mobilization of assistance – by national and municipal authorities, civil society actors, local volunteers, and refugees themselves, all contributing to ensure protection and meet the essential needs of those fleeing violence. As the refugee response enters its third year in 2024, it continues to address significant needs in host countries, demonstrating an evolving and prolonged situation. Notably, this iteration of the plan reflects the overall ownership of the response and greater investment by host governments in the socio-economic inclusion of refugees.
Innovative Investments for the Economic Recovery of Ukraine
This report aims to identify effective mechanisms for Ukraine’s sustained and sustainable recovery and transformation, specifically focusing on supporting local SMEs and facilitating engagement with international companies. The findings will serve as a valuable resource for governments, international organizations, development finance institutions, donors, and global investment leaders. By leveraging these findings, they can create specialized investment vehicles to promote economic stability and foster growth in Ukraine. This report is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UkraineInvest.
Rebuilding Ukraine with a Resilient, Carbon-Neutral Energy System
This study, prepared by UNECE experts, builds upon UNECE’s work on Building Resilient Energy Systems and utilizes the UNECE Carbon Neutrality Toolkit. The analysis presented here focuses on a carbon-neutral scenario for the post-war restoration of Ukraine's energy system. The findings aim to serve as a valuable source and tool for future horizon scanning efforts and broader foresight processes to support policymaking. The objective is to assist the Ukrainian government in exploring different pathways and rebuilding its energy system based on the concept of carbon neutrality. Ukraine continues to heavily rely on fossil fuels, accounting for 70% of its Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) in 2020. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had a significant impact on the energy sector, resulting in a 43% drop in energy demand in 2022 compared to 2013.
Internally Displaced and Immobile People in Ukraine Between 2014 and 2022: Older Age and Disabilities as Factors of Vulnerability
Authored by Irina Kuznetsova and Oksana Mikheieva, this Migration Research Series paper explores the impacts of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine on the individuals that were displaced before 2022. The authors argue that the pre-existing vulnerabilities of those stranded in occupied areas since February 2022 have been exacerbated, particularly at the intersections of displacement and immobility, and disability, older ag, and housing.
Demographic and Household Composition of Refugee and Internally Displaced Ukraine Populations: Findings From an Online Survey
Authored by Brienna Perelli-Harris, Orsola Torrisi, Michael G Head and Ken Brackstone, this Migration Research Series paper highlights the household composition and characteristics of those displaced by the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine. The paper showcases the findings of a rapid online health needs survey disseminated via Facebook between April and July 2022. The survey discusses the findings from 10,180 respondents, making suggestions for policies that can mitigate some of the effects of the displacement crisis.
The War in Ukraine and the Potential of Facebook’s Social Connectedness Index to Anticipate Human Displacement
Authored by Umberto Minora, Martina Belmonte, Claudio Bosco, Drew Johnston, Eugenia Giraudy, Stefano M. Iacus and Francesco Sermi, this Migration Research Series paper highlights the importance of anticipating conflict-induced migration flows through innovative data from social media to support national and local authorities in terms of reception and integration. The paper explores the potential of Facebook’s Social Connectedness Index for predicting migration flows in the context of the war in Ukraine, building on previous research findings that the presence of a diaspora network is one of the major migration drivers. Results suggest that the index, along with other readily available covariates, is a strong predictor of the Ukrainian diaspora at regional scale.
In the Face of War, a Year of Action in Ukraine
As a result of the war in Ukraine, UNESCO has mobilised to denounce violence against journalists, promote the importance and therefore the protection of cultural institutions, and work for the maintenance of education to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities in Ukraine. From 6 to 11 July 2022, a UNESCO mission went to Ukraine to consolidate an initial assessment of the impact of the war on Ukraine’s culture sector, coordinate the Organization’s support in this field with the government authorities and partners, and define priorities for recovery and reconstruction.