UNHCR 1

Cross-border movement of people

Summary of 2020 statistics of the State Border Guard

Service of Ukraine

Access to territory

Migration to/from Ukraine has significantly decreased as compared to the same period of 2019, with 6.9 million foreigners and stateless persons having crossed (3.4 million in and 3.5 million out) Ukrainian borders in 2020 (vs. 27.32 million both; 13.71 million in and 13.61 out in 2019).

At the same time, the number of foreigners and stateless persons denied entry to Ukraine has decreased from 22,200 in 2019 to 13,000 in 2020 (by 41%).

UNHCR UKRAINE / MARCH 2021

26

.8

13

.4

13

.4

25

.9

13

.0

12

.9

26

.5

13

.7

12

.7

12

.6

6.4

6.2

28

.6

14

.6

14

.6

27

.3

13

.7

13

.6

6.9

3.4 3.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

T O T A L E N T E R E D U K R A I N E M O V E D O U T O F U K R A I N E

MIL

LIO

NS

CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC OF FOREIGNERS AND STATELESS PERSONS IN/OUT UKRAINE

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

UNHCR 2

Top 4 nationalities of denied entry foreigners:

Citizens of the Russian Federation – 22.3% (vs 32.7% in 2019)

Citizens of Turkey – 17% (vs 15% in 2019)

Citizens of Moldova – 13% (vs 8% in 2019)

Citizens of India – 4%.

Out of total number denied entry: 3% were Belarusians (vs 1.6% in 2019); 1.5% were Syrians (vs 1.4% in

2019); 2.3% were Uzbeks (vs 3.1% in 2019).

32,700 31,700

16,700

22,20019,500

22,200

13,000

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners and stateless persons denied entry

to Ukraine

22.3%

17.0%

13.0%

4.0%3.0% 3.0% 3.0%

2.3%1.5%

RussianFederation

Turkey Moldova India Azerbaijan Poland Belarus Uzbekistan Syria

Foreigners denied entry, by country of origin in 2020, in %

UNHCR 3

Accelerated Readmission

The number of foreigners and stateless persons returned to Ukraine under EU-Ukraine readmission agreement has decreased by 34.4% as compared to the same period of 2019.

381 foreigners (including 64 Turks, 47 Afghans, 32 Bangladeshi, 30 Iraqis, 30 Vietnamese, 14 Russians, 14 Somalis, 1 Syrian) were returned to Ukraine in 2019 and 250 foreigners (including 60 Turks, 31 Indians, 31 Bangladeshi, 29 Algerians, 11 Afghans, 11 Syrians and 8 Somalis) in 2020 .

23

.8%

17

.1%

4.9

%

3.3

%

1.6

%

29

.7%

15

.3%

3.5

%

1.8

%

3.8

%

1.8

%

32

.7%

8.0

%

2.5

%

3.1

%

1.8

%

1.4

%

22

.3%

13

.0%

2.3

%

2.3

%

1.5

%

1.5

%

R U S S I A N F E D E R A T I O N

M O L D O V A G E O R G I A U Z B E K I S T A N H U N G A R Y S Y R I A

TRENDS IN FOREIGNERS DENIED ENTRY, BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, IN %

2017 2018 2019 2020

Foreigners readmitted to Ukraine, by countries of origin

2017 2018 2019 2020

Vietnam Vietnam Turkey Turkey

Turkey Turkey Afghanistan India and

Bangladesh

India Iraq Bangladesh Algeria

Syria India Iraq Syria and

Afghanistan

Russia Russia Vietnam Somalia

323

513381

250

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners returned to Ukraine

UNHCR 4

Due to implementation of the procedures of the Implementation Protocols with MDA (not implemented in 2019) and the RF (not implemented in 2018-19) the number of foreigners and stateless persons removed from Ukraine under the Readmission agreements increased in more than 5 times (by 400%) in 2020. Out of 162 persons: 95 were removed to Moldova (14 of them are stateless persons from the Transnistria!), 46 (30 to ROM; 10 to POL; 6 to SVK ) to the European Union countries, 18 to the Russian Federation; 3 to BEL. 30 foreigners were removed from Ukraine in 2019.

Irregular migration

In 2020, 706 foreigners and stateless persons were held administratively liable for violation of border regime (art. 202 of the Code of Admin Offences - CUAO). This figure is 42.6% lower than in 2019 (1,230).

There is a major decrease (70.1%) in number of foreigners and stateless persons charged with violation of registration procedures or violation of term of stay in Ukraine revealed at border crossing points (par. 2 of art. 203 of the CUAO). In 2019 this number was 31,150.

Number of persons detained for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof (204-1 of the CUAO) decreased as compared to same period of 2019

(1,115 persons in 2020 vs 1,685 persons in 2019).

10393

50

4

Slovakia Poland Romania Hungary

Number of foreigners readmitted to Ukraine, by the returning country in 2020

36,60031,150

9,300

2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners and stateless persons found in violation of art. 203(2) of Code of Admin Offences

959 1,0561,230

706

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners found in violation under art. 202 of the

Code of Administrative Offences

35 32 30

162

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners and stateless persons removed

from Ukraine

UNHCR 5

The biggest groups charged: 206 MDA; 183 UKR (at BCPs between Ukraine and the Russian Federation: “Hoptivka”- 78; “Synkivka”- 35; “Milove”-32; “Bachyvsk”-17; other -21).

There was an increase (by 124%) in the number of persons held administratively liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO (Violation of rules of entry and exit into the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine): 5,233 persons (including 5.087 Ukrainians and 146 foreigners, among them: 94 citizens of RUS; 10 AZE; 6 ARM; 5 MDA and some other countries) in 2019 vs 11,700 persons in 2020. The latter included 11,600 Ukrainians, 110 Russians, 19 Azeris and some other countries nationals.

206183

114

63 45 42 40 39 38 38

307

Citizenship of persons detained for illegal border crossing or an attempt under art. 204-1 of the Code of Admin

Offences

945

5,233

11,700

2018 2019 2020

Number of persons held administratively liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO

(Violation of rules of entry and exit into the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine

18721,700 1,685

1,115

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners detained for illegal border crossing or an attempt

under art. 204-1 of the Code of Admin Offences

UNHCR 6

Detention

The number of foreigners and stateless persons detained in SBGS holding facilities has decreased by 26%: 1,555 persons in 2019 vs. 1,149 in 2020.

Western Regional Directorate, 796

Southern Regional Directorate, 186

Eastern Regional Directorate, 98

Units of Central Subordination (including SBCP Kyiv - Boryspil, Zhulyany airports),

69

Breakdown of detained persons by SBGS Directorates

1,154

1,4521,555

1,149

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of persons detained in SBGS holding facilitites

UNHCR 7

There is a decrease (by 26%) in the number of persons placed in Migrant Custody Centers based on court decisions initiated by the SBGS for the purpose of identification and / or securing expulsion from Ukraine - 219 persons, including: 42 Bangladeshis, 40 Afghans, 25 citizens of Sri Lanka, 20 Algerians, 13 Indians in 2020 vs 296 persons, including: 48 Afghans, 10 Somalis, 4 Syrians, 3 Russians, 2 Palestinian during 2019.

Almost the same number of asylum-seekers, registered with SMS placed in Migrant Custody Centers until completion of their asylum procedure - for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine: 31 (13 SYR, 4 RUS, 3 IRQ) in 2020 (apprehended by Lviv – 13, Mukachevo – 9, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi – 4, Chop – 3, Chernihiv and Luhansk – 1 each BGDs for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof) vs 28 asylum-seekers in 2019.

Syria, 42%

Russian Federation, 13%

Yemen, 9%

Iraq, 9%

Other, 26%

Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine, by country of origin

366404

296

219

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of persons placed to Migrant Custody Centers based on court decisions initiated by the SBGS

12

30 2831

2017 2018 2019 2020

Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine

UNHCR 8

Forced return / expulsion procedures

In 2020, there was a decrease (by 49%) on number of persons with regard to whom SBGS decided on forced return from Ukraine. Such decisions were made in cases of 408 foreigners and stateless persons (including 103 Turks, 101 Moldovans, 26 Indians, 22 Algerians, 19 stateless persons). In 2019, SBGS adopted decisions on forced return from Ukraine 799 (including 80 stateless persons, 19 Afghans; 16 Iraqis and 3 Syrians).

21

24

0 0 02

10 0 0

9 9

6

21 1

0 0 0 0 00

3

9

13

0 0 0 0

4

1 1

Asylum-seekers registered with SMS placed in Migrant custody centers for their attempt of irregular exit Ukraine, by place of

apprehension

2018 2019 2020

103 101

26 22 19

137

Turkey Moldova India Algeria STA Other

Foreigners and stateless persons with regard to whom SBGS decided on forced return in 2020, by country of origin

710

956799

408

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners and stateless persons with regard to whom SBGS

decided on forced return

UNHCR 9

The biggest number of decisions on forced return adopted by the following SBGDs: Lviv – 128; Chop – 52; Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi – 46; Podilsk – 37; Chernivtsi – 35; Lutsk – 19; Mukachevo – 17; other SBGDs – 74. The number of SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion from Ukraine satisfied by the Ukrainian courts decreased (by 38%) to 149 in 2020 (including on 20 Iraqis, 20 Sri Lankais, 17 Indians, 16 Algerians) vs 239 in 2019.

The implementation rate in 2020 is 59% (88 court decisions were actually implemented, including with regard to 15 LKA; 15 IRQ; 12 IND) vs 85% (202 decisions) in 2019.

Lviv31%

Chop13%

Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi 11%

Podilsk 9%

Chernivtsi 9%

Lutsk 5%

Mukachevo 4%

Other 18%

Decisions on forced return adopted in 2020

397

296239

149

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion satisfied by

the Ukrainian courts

164 153

202

88

2017 2018 2019 2020

Court decisions on forced expulsion imlemented

2318

3 2

50

12

2 0

7

20

1 0

Afghanistan Iraq Somalia STA

SBGS' lawsuits on forced expulsion satisfied by the Ukrainian courts, by the country of origin

2018 2019 2020

UNHCR 10

Access to asylum

The number of foreigners and stateless persons who applied for asylum trough SBGS officials and were transferred/referred to migration service is 80 altogether in 2020 (vs 62 in 2019 vs 104 in 2018).

Out of those asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS: 67.5% (54) applied from SBGS temporary holding facilities 8.8% (7) applied during irregular border crossing 23.7% (19) applied during regular entry (received SBGS’ consultation on asylum procedure at

BCPs). To compare, in 2019, out of those 62 asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS, 22.6% (14) applied during the irregular entry; 54.8% (34) applied for asylum from SBGS’s temporary holding facilities (after they attempted to irregularly exit UKR towards the EU), and 22.6% (14) applied during regular entry (received SBGS’ consultation on asylum procedure at BCPs). It includes 7 foreigners and stateless persons (5 RUS, 1 UZB, 1 STA) who applied for asylum through SBGS officials during irregular border crossing at Kharkiv (1 - STA), Zhytomyr (1 - RUS), Chop (1 – UZB, 1 - RUS), Sumy (2 – RUS), SBCP Kyiv airports (1 - RUS) BGDs and were transferred to Migration Service during 2020.

144

1119

74

3420

11 9

33

10

43

24

44

243634

14 14

54

719

From SBGS temporaryholding facilities

During irregular bordercrossing

During regular entry at BCPs

Asylum-seekers who applied through the SBGS, by type

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

174

134

5377

104

6280

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of foreigners and stateless persons applied for asylum

through SBGS

UNHCR 11

It also includes 19 persons (11 BLR, 5 CMR, 3 LBY) who applied for obtaining explanations on asylum procedures during regular entry at BCPs and were referred to SMS.

It also includes 54 asylum-seekers who applied from SBGS temporary holding facilities (18 SYR, 16 AFG; 5 RUS; 3 IRQ; 2 EGY; 2 ERI; 2 LKA; 1 AZE; 1 CHN; 1 IRN; 1 SOM; 1 SDN; 1 VNM). 31 of them were transferred to MCCs under the court formulation “detention until completion of RSD procedures”. It covers 13 SYR; 4 RUS; 3 IRQ; 3 YEM; 1 EGY; 1 SUD; 1 BGD; 1 SOM; 1 AFG; 1 IRN; 1 KAZ,1 LKA. Other 23 who applied for asylum after the court hearing could be placed in the MCC under different formulations: «detention for identification and expulsion», «detention for identification», «detention to ensure transfer of person as per Ukraine's international agreements on

readmission», «detention for expulsion». In 2020 UNHCR partners conducted 55 monitoring visits to 6 THF out of 16. Usually SBGS provide UNHCR partner staff with access to the detainees only after their investigation and court procedures on detention are over.

Russian Federation

72%

Stateless14%

Uzbekistan14%

Foreigners and stateless persons applied for asylum through SBGS officials during irregular border

crossing in 2020, by country of origin

Zhytomyr14%

SBCP Kyiv airports

14%

Kharkiv14%Sumy

29%

Chop29%

Foreigners and stateless persons applied for asylum through SBGS officials during irregular border

crossing in 2020

UNHCR 12

54 asylum applications took place in the following THFs BGDs: Luhansk (1 RUS); Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi (4: 2 SYR, 1 IRQ, 1 IRN); Lviv (12: 3 SYR, 2 AFG, 2 RUS, 2 EGY, 1 CHN, 1 YEM, 1 SDN); Mukachevo (12: 8 SYR, 4 AFG); Chernihiv (1 RUS); Odesa (6: 4 SYR, 2 IRQ); Chop (18: 10 AFG, 2 LKA, 2 ERI, 1 AZE, 1 SYR, 1 SOM, 1 RUS).

As per SMS data, number of asylum-seekers transferred/referred by SBGS to migration authority increased for 29% in 2020 (597 asylum applications, were submitted countrywide in 2020 (including by 195 (32,6%) irregularly entering) vs 1,036 asylum applications, were submitted countrywide in 2019 (including by 272 (26%) irregularly entering. However, the 2020 SMS statistics reflects only 47 (7,8%) applications handed over through SBGS (vs 28 (2,7%) in 2019) vs 80 in 2020 and 62 in 2019 SBGS data.

UNHCR 13

Statistics on Syrian nationals for 2020 13,400 Syrian nationals are reported to have entered Ukraine in 2019 (vs 16,000 in 2019 vs 14,000 in 2018 vs 12,000 in 2017).

181 Syrians were denied crossing of the Ukrainian border on entry to Ukraine (vs 291 in 2019 vs 369 in 2018 vs 372 in 2017). 54 Syrians were held administratively liable for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof (204-1 of Code of Admin Offences) in 2020 vs 9 in 2019 vs 8 in 2018 vs 43 in 2017. 11 Syrians have been returned to Ukraine under the EU-Ukraine readmission agreement.

In 2020, SBGS did not submit any lawsuits on forced expulsion of Syrians from Ukraine. In 2019, Ukrainian courts satisfied lawsuits on forced expulsion of 3 Syrians from Ukraine (vs 0 in 2018 vs 1 in 2017). 21 Syrians are reported to have applied for asylum through border guards in 2020 vs 3 in 2019 vs 5 in 2018 vs 4 in 2017.

372

43

396

8

291

9

181

54

Syrians denied crossing Syrians held administratively liable forillegal crossing

2017 2018 2019 2020

12,00014,000

16,000

13,400

2017 2018 2019 2020

Syrian nationals reported to have entered Ukraine

UNHCR 14

Statistics on stateless persons for 2020 2,600 stateless persons entered Ukraine during 2020 and 102 stateless persons were denied entry to Ukraine (vs 8.248 entered and 270 were denied entry in 2019; 8.243 entered and 315 were denied entry in 2018; 7.500 stateless persons entered Ukraine and 333 were denied entry in 2017). 36 stateless persons were charged for irregular border crossing or attempt thereof (vs 67 in 2019; 111 in 2018). In 2020, 0 stateless persons were returned to Ukraine under readmission agreements. Number of SBGS’s decisions on forced return of stateless persons - 14. They were implemented through readmission agreement with MDA (vs 80 in 2019; 136 in 2018; 106 in 2017). No lodged lawsuits on forced expulsion of stateless persons (vs 0 in 2019; 3 in 2018; 1 in 2017).

333

106

315

111136

270

67 80102

3614

Denied entry Charged for irregularborder crossing

Number of SBGSdecisions on forced return

of stateless persons

Stateless persons

2017 2018 2019 2020

7,5008,243 8,248

2,600

2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of stateless persons entered Ukraine

UNHCR 15

Key trends identified:

Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, in 2020 cross-border movements in Ukraine nosedived by 75%. SBGS stopped admission to Ukraine of foreigners and stateless persons from 16.03.2020. Number of operational BCPs decreased from 219 to 49, and later to 19. The foreigners’ access to the territory was re-established on 12 June subject to availability of medical insurance and two weeks observation for foreigners from the-covid effected countries. The access to the territory for foreigners has been suspended again from 29.08 to 30.09.2020. Accordingly, the number of foreigners denied entry to Ukraine has also decreased by 41% (particularly, citizens of the RF remain the top nationals denied entry in the context of the ongoing armed conflict at the East of Ukraine).

Number of foreigners and stateless persons returned to Ukraine under EU-Ukraine readmission agreement has decreased by 34.4% as compared to the same period of 2019.

Due to implementation of the procedures of the Implementation Protocols with MDA (not implemented in 2019) and the RF (not implemented in 2018-19) the number of foreigners and stateless persons removed from Ukraine under Readmission agreements increased in more than 5 times (by 400%) in 2020 (162) in comparison with 2019 (30).

Number of Syrian nationals who enter Ukraine for the last four years stopped growing due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Similarly, the number of Syrian nationals denied entry decreased.

68.5% less stateless persons entered Ukraine in 2020. The number of stateless persons charged for irregular border crossing also decreased by half (36).

Number of persons detained (1.149 persons) for Illegal border crossing or an attempt thereof (204-1 of the CUAO) decreased (by 34%). The biggest groups charged: 206 MDA; 183 Ukrainians (at BCPs between Ukraine and the Russian Federation: “Hoptivka”- 78; “Synkivka”- 35; “Milove”-32; “Bachyvsk”-17; other -21).

The number of foreigners and stateless persons detained in SBGS holding facilities has decreased by 26%. This may be explained by the general reduction of cross-border movements in 2020. Traditionally 69% (796) of foreigners and stateless persons were detained in SBGS THF under supervision of the Western Regional Directorate, meaning they were trying to leave through the Western border into the EU countries.

There was a significant increase (by 124%) in the number of persons (11,700) held administratively liable under art. 204-2 of the CUAO (Violation of rules of entry and exit into the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine). It included 11,600 Ukrainians, 110 Russians, 19 Azeris and some others.

The number of foreigners and stateless persons who applied for asylum through SBGS officials increased by 29% (80) in 2020 as compared to 2019 (62). Nationals of Syria (18) occupy the first place among foreigners applied for asylum through SBGS officials at THF; while (5) Russians among those who apply during irregular entry and (11) Belorussians among those who apply during regular border crossing vs Russians who were no. 1 in 2019.

The statistics on asylum-seekers handed over by SBGS to SMS provided by SBGS (80) and by SMS (47) are always contradictory, signifying a lack of information exchange and unified approaches to statistics among the state agencies.

In 2020, number of implemented court decision (88) of forced expulsions of foreigners from Ukraine dropped twice as compared to 2019 (202). This may be explained by suspension of flights from Ukraine for four months due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

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