Millions have left Ukraine and many are not coming back

The 4th episode and latest episode of Brian Bonner's "Ukraine Calling" podcast on Hromadske Radio was released on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Brian Bonner’s 4th and latest episode of “Ukraine Calling,” the weekly program on Hromadske Radio, is available on YouTube, the radio’s website, and wherever you get your podcasts.

An estimated 5 million Ukrainians remained out of the nation as of early 2024, at least 3.6 million in democratic countries and another 1.3 million in Russia or Belarus. With each passing day, as Russia’s war drags on, more say they will not return home. And the nations where they have settled seem happy to have them. This will exacerbate Ukraine’s already dire demographic situation — in which the birth rate is less than 1 per woman — and also harm Ukraine’s economy and defense since at least 650,000 fighting-age men remain abroad.

Brian Bonner explores the issue with Hlib Vyshlynsky, executive director of the Center for Economy Strategy in Kyiv.

The transcript of Ukraine Calling’s interview with Hlib Vyshlinsky