Research on the connection between national identity and the intentions of forced migrants from Ukraine to return

Abstract

The article examines the connection between national identity and the return intentions of forced migrants from Ukraine. The relevance of the study is determined by the scale of forced displacement caused by the full-scale Russian invasion and by the need for return policies that account for the heterogeneity of displaced persons. The research is theoretical and conceptual: it systematizes existing studies on return migration and interprets national identity as a mediating framework through which displaced persons assess security, family ties, integration abroad, belonging, and future expectations. The article identifies civic identity, ethnic self-identification, linguistic practices, region of origin, and religious practices as key dimensions of Ukrainian national identity relevant to return intentions. The main result is a set of hypotheses and indicators for future empirical research, including the assumption that inclusion in the dominant national narrative may strengthen return intentions, while perceived exclusion or discrimination may weaken them. The article concludes that post-war return policies should use a segmented and inclusive approach sensitive to different identity configurations among Ukrainian displaced persons.