russia’s strategic goal is to depopulate Ukraine — research
Massive shelling of the energy infrastructure prompted Ukrainians to migrate abroad, according to a research conducted by the Civil Network OPORA, the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory, and the telecommunications company “Vodafone Ukraine”.
“The depopulation of Ukrainian territories and the mass non-return of our citizens are goals of the russian Federation in this war,” — notes Olha Aivazovska, Chair of the Board of the Civil Network OPORA and co-founder of the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory.“The population before the full-scale invasion ranged from 37 to 43 million. The full-scale invasion sent demographics into a steep decline. According to various estimates, Ukraine has lost to migration between 2.3 million to 5.2 million people. We continue to lose people, and the enemy is doing everything to make us fewer. Shelling of the energy infrastructure is another example of russia’s crimes against the civilian population,” she added.
This research has already been submitted to the International Criminal Court through the Prosecutor General’s Office. Additionally, it will be forwarded to the International Centre for Prosecution of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) as evidence of war crimes and actions by russians with signs of aggression.