The fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine draws attention to the fate of over one hundred thousand people who have found shelter in Hesse since 2022. According to the latest data, despite the passage of time, the willingness of German residents to support refugees remains high. Simultaneously, many families struggle with difficult integration, language barriers, and uncertainty about returning to a homeland engulfed by an energy crisis and ongoing warfare.

Migration balance in Hesse

In 2024, 17.8 thousand Ukrainians arrived in Hesse, and 7.7 thousand returned to their country. In total, the region has received approximately 100 thousand people.

Stable community support

Local aid organizations see no decline in generosity; humanitarian aid continues to flow in a wide stream to those in need.

Difficult conditions in the homeland

Refugees maintain constant contact with families who are struggling with shortages of electricity and water due to Russian attacks on infrastructure.

The fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine has passed, prompting an assessment of the refugee situation in Europe. In the German federal state of Hesse, approximately 100,000 refugees have found shelter. In 2024 alone, 17,800 new people from Ukraine arrived in the region, while 7,700 decided to return to their country. This data indicates the dynamic nature of migration, although the majority of arrivals still remain in Germany, attempting to build new professional and personal lives. Non-governmental organizations, such as the association Ukrainehilfe Birstein und Brachttal, emphasize that no phenomenon of aid fatigue has been observed. Enrico Nagelberg, the chairman of this organization, reports on the persistently high generosity of the local community, which has enabled the organization of over 50 humanitarian transports. For many refugees, however, the integration process involves difficulties. Learning the German language and the recognition of professional diplomas are key challenges, especially for women raising children alone while their husbands serve on the front line. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany became one of the main destinations for migration from Eastern Europe, and the current scale of aid for Ukrainians is the largest humanitarian operation in the Federal Republic of Germany since the 2015 migration crisis.The refugees' situation is complicated by the deteriorating infrastructure in Ukraine itself. Accounts from women living in the Main-Kinzig district point to the daily problems of their families remaining in their homeland, including a lack of running water, heating, and access to electricity limited to a few hours a day. This uncertainty means questions about a potential return home remain without clear answers, and the process of settling in Germany is taking on the character of permanent emigration. „Meine Mama hat nur vier Stunden Strom am Tag. Vergangene Woche gab es kein Wasser, und die Heizung hat nicht funktioniert.” (My mom only has electricity for four hours a day. Last week there was no water, and the heating didn't work.) — Galina Federenko

Mentioned People

  • Enrico Nagelberg — Chairman of the Ukrainehilfe Birstein und Brachttal association.
  • Galina Federenko — Ukrainian refugee living in Freigericht with two children.
  • Iryna Bondar — German and English studies specialist conducting language courses for refugees.