As the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year, an increasing number of Ukrainian men are fleeing to Denmark, driven by war fatigue and the fear of mandatory military service, despite restrictions preventing them from leaving their home country.
Ukrainian Men Fleeing War and Military Service
In a surprising shift since the onset of the war, more Ukrainian men are now seeking refuge in Denmark than women. From the beginning of the war, the majority of refugees were women and children escaping the conflict. However, statistics reveal that since the autumn of 2022, over 4,000 Ukrainian men aged 20 to 59 have made their way to Denmark, according to data from Denmark’s Statistics Office. This trend persists even as Ukraine has enforced a travel ban on men aged 18 to 60, requiring them to remain available for military service.
War Fatigue and the Drive to Survive
Experts suggest that the rising number of male refugees is a direct response to the relentless toll of war. As military analyst Alexander With from the Danish Defense Academy explains, Ukraine has run out of volunteers to fight. In the early days of the war, recruitment offices were overwhelmed with eager volunteers, but the situation has drastically changed. Many men, overwhelmed by the grinding reality of ongoing conflict—where Ukraine has been on the defensive for more than a year—are fleeing to avoid conscription.
The current climate in Ukraine has become increasingly perilous, with fresh reports indicating that mobilization efforts are now taking place on city streets. Police and military patrols have been stopping men of conscription age and requiring them to present their military documents. Failure to provide these documents can lead to detention at recruitment centers, where individuals are assessed for military readiness.
Mobilization and the Absence of Demobilization Plans
Sofie Rose, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, emphasizes that many men are reluctant to serve in the military due to the lack of a viable demobilization plan. Under current military contracts, there is no clear endpoint, meaning men may remain in uniform indefinitely unless they are killed or injured to the extent that they can no longer serve. This uncertainty fosters anxiety among potential conscripts, further propelling them to seek safety outside Ukraine.
A Shift in Refugee Dynamics
While earlier refugees were often women and children seeking integration into Danish society, the current arrival of men presents unique challenges for support systems. Niels Svankjær Christensen, head of integration initiatives at the Red Cross in Denmark, notes that the men arriving now bear the scars of prolonged conflict, often requiring more psychological and emotional support than their female counterparts.
“The group that is coming now is more worn out by the war that has sapped their strength,” Christensen remarks. Their need for support extends beyond just basic shelter and food; many struggle with the trauma and instability they left behind. This necessitates a dedicated response from Danish municipalities, businesses, and volunteer organizations.
The Journey to Freedom
The experience of fleeing Ukraine is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Viacheslav, a 23-year-old from Ukraine, shared his harrowing journey of escape which began 30-35 kilometers from the Romanian border. To ensure their safety, he and two companions traversed 70 kilometers over the course of five days through difficult terrain and mountainous regions. “I love my country, but I see no future,” he stated.
Viacheslav, who volunteered to join the Ukrainian military at the war’s outset but lacked training, reflected on his experiences with disillusionment. “I was just a student with a machine gun,” he recalls, adding that his lack of experience made service overwhelming. As time passed, he began to question the war’s purpose and ultimately chose to flee rather than remain in a situation where he would likely face conscription.
Legal and Emotional Challenges for Refugees
Despite technically violating the travel ban like many others in his situation, Viacheslav is not legally classified as a deserter in Denmark. Instead, he falls under a special law granting residency rights to Ukrainian nationals, allowing him to seek refuge without fear of prosecution. This legal framework offers some peace of mind, but challenges remain prevalent as male refugees navigate their new lives in a foreign country.
“War fatigue is present in the entire population, but it particularly affects men, who are the ones who can be forced to serve in the army,” Rose explains. These broader societal pressures combine with the personal fears of being pulled into the war, driving men like Viacheslav to flee.
Uncertainty Remains
Looking ahead, the future remains uncertain for both Ukraine and its fleeing citizens. Peace negotiations are ongoing, and questions linger about whether these discussions will yield any meaningful resolutions. Viacheslav expressed skepticism about returning anytime soon, asserting a belief that his future lays in another European country rather than back in a war-torn Ukraine.
The war has drained his patriotism, Viacheslav described candidly. He expresses a desire to support his family but also recognizes the harsh realities of his situation. If peace does come to Ukraine, he lamented, “I cannot see a future for myself in Ukraine.”
As the conflict drags on and the situation for many Ukrainian men grows increasingly untenable, Denmark and other nations face the challenge of integrating these new arrivals, providing the necessary support to help them heal from their traumatic experiences, and ensuring they can build new lives away from the violence that has overtaken their homeland.
