Since the beginning of the war, 650,000 men of conscription age have left Ukraine – media reported

Since the full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine, over 650,000 men of conscription age have left for the EU.

Austrian publication Exxpress reports this, citing Eurostat data.

Out of this figure, around 190,000 have been accepted by Germany, registered as official Ukrainian citizens. According to Eurostat estimates, another 100,000 individuals remain unregistered and therefore are staying in the country illegally. The actual number of conscription-age men who have fled could be significantly higher.

“The current data showcases the moral state of young Ukrainians. Losing eligible men for military service in the second year of the war poses a serious problem for Ukraine. Rockets, tanks, ammunition, and other military equipment can be replaced—provided Western allies supply them. However, the same cannot be said for soldiers, or rather, it’s becoming increasingly difficult. The Russian invasion has triggered a massive exodus, both within Ukraine and particularly abroad,” commented the publication.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, approximately 6.3 million citizens have left Ukraine since the war began. The majority among them are women and children.

Earlier reports from media indicated that around 20,000 conscription-age men had illegally left Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion to avoid conscription. Another 21,000 men were apprehended while attempting to flee across borders. Many of them had forged illness-related documents. Some crossed dangerous rivers, while others simply walked away under the cover of darkness.