Key facts
- Nearly 3.6 million people remain internally displaced in Ukraine.
- Around 3.8 million Ukrainians have returned to damaged homes.
- Less than 7% of the IOM's 2026 Ukraine response plan is funded.
Millions of Ukrainians face another winter of hardship as attacks on critical infrastructure, damaged housing, and rising living costs threaten to force more people from their homes, the United Nations migration agency said on Friday. With temperatures set to fall, many families are struggling to secure reliable heating, electricity, and water after years of war, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported. Russian missiles and drones have recently targeted Ukrainian cities amid fears of reduced Western support. Dejan Keserovic, IOM deputy chief of mission in Ukraine, stated that the coming months could be the most difficult since the full-scale war began. Nearly 3.6 million people remain internally displaced, while an estimated 3.8 million have returned to damaged or partially destroyed homes. Those who returned within the last three months are most likely to consider leaving again due to deteriorating living conditions. European countries host around 6 million Ukrainian refugees, and the IOM expects more may seek to leave if the situation worsens. Repeated Russian strikes on energy and critical infrastructure are pressuring Ukraine's essential services, and access to water is a major concern. The IOM has installed solar power stations but warned that needs remain immense and funding shortages could hamper aid efforts.