Leaving occupation is more than just relocating — it’s a personal challenge, a break from familiar life, and the loss of home, work, and community. It’s a step into the unknown without guaranteeing safety or peace. It means being forced to assimilate into a new environment — a new workplace, children’s social circles, neighbors. How does one find the courage to leave? Where can financial assistance be obtained? At the same time, life under occupation is marked by daily fear. Every word, glance, or hint of support for Ukraine can lead to a nighttime visit from so-called “law enforcement.” In such conditions, the idea of “choice” fades — it becomes a matter of survival.

This was the reality for the A. family, who lived in Crimea. They weren’t activists or protest participants. Yet even silence proved no protection when one family member was deemed a threat by the occupation administration.

As the family recalls, they were woken at dawn by a loud knock at the door. On the threshold stood uniformed men. Their looks — and the direct question, “Is your relative serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine?” — became a verdict, ending any hope of a future on the peninsula. The family understood that there was no time left. Within hours, they packed their belongings. No goodbyes, no second thoughts — only fear and a firm decision to flee. The road was long and dangerous, through checkpoints under occupation control, where every move aroused suspicion. Crossing the administrative boundary brought relief, but also many unanswered questions after 11 years of living under occupation: how to recover lost documents? Where to live? How could their child continue school?

Their first step in this new chapter began with reaching out to the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Exhausted and anxious, the family received what mattered most — support and the assurance that they were not alone. The Mission immediately took action. In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service, an algorithm was developed to guide citizens safely from the Russian Federation’s territory to government-controlled Ukraine. The family later received assistance obtaining the documents necessary to cross the state border, and their safe relocation was coordinated. The Mission’s team continued to provide support once they were on Ukrainian-controlled territory — including opening bank accounts to receive aid from international organizations, enrolling the child in school through the Ministry of Education and Science, and helping restore Ukrainian documents that had been lost or confiscated by the occupation administration. In this case, thanks to the coordinated efforts of state institutions, every challenge was resolved step by step.

This is just one of many stories. Every day, Ukrainians from temporarily occupied territories face the difficult decision to leave everything behind and start anew. But for this choice to be possible, people must know that the state will stand with them.

The Mission is actively developing an outreach strategy for residents of temporarily occupied territories. Everyone has the right to know how to leave occupation, where to seek help, and what kind of support they can receive. Ukraine never abandons its people and continues to fight for their well-being. And while the struggle for independence and the return of our territories continues, so does the work of those helping people return to freedom.

If you need consultation within the Mission’s area of responsibility, please contact:

•  +38 (067) 547-65-75 (also available on Viber and WhatsApp);  
• Toll-free hotline: 0 800 502 192;
• Email: [email protected].