Introduction: Violence as a Strategy
In Ukraine’s ongoing war, civilians and activists have become deliberate targets of violence. From missile strikes on residential areas to the persecution of community leaders in occupied territories, the conflict has created a climate of fear that forces people to flee. This exodus is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a calculated outcome of war, designed to weaken resistance and dismantle civil society.


Attacks on Civilians
Russian forces have carried out widespread attacks on civilians, violating international humanitarian law. Residential neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools, and shelters have been bombed, killing thousands and displacing millions. These attacks are often indiscriminate, but they also serve a strategic purpose: to break morale and force populations to abandon contested areas.


Persecution of Activists
Community leaders, journalists, and activists have been singled out in occupied regions. Many have been detained, tortured, or killed for their role in mobilising resistance or documenting abuses. Civil society organisations are dismantled, and their members targeted, silencing local voices that might challenge occupation authorities. Families of activists are often harassed, adding further pressure to flee.


War Crimes and Intimidation
Documented war crimes—including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence—have intensified the sense of insecurity. Civilians are subjected to intimidation campaigns, including house-to-house searches, public humiliations, and threats. These tactics aim not only to control territory but also to terrorise populations into submission or exile.


Targeting of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders
Journalists and human rights defenders face unique risks. Reporters covering the war are harassed or detained, while those in occupied areas risk execution. NGO workers providing aid or documenting violations are persecuted, making their work nearly impossible. Many have fled abroad, continuing their mission in exile but leaving behind communities with fewer protections.


Humanitarian Consequences
The targeting of civilians and activists has deep humanitarian consequences:

- Families are torn apart as members flee separately for safety.
- Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, face displacement under dangerous conditions.
- Communities lose leaders who once provided services, advocacy, and hope.
- Trust between citizens and authorities erodes under fear and violence.

The result is both physical destruction and the hollowing out of civil society.


Patterns of Exodus
Displacement follows predictable patterns. Civilians flee frontline regions and occupied territories, moving westward within Ukraine or crossing into neighbouring states. Activists and journalists, fearing direct persecution, often seek asylum further abroad in Europe or North America. These overlapping movements create a diaspora shaped not just by war but by targeted repression.


International Responses
The international community has condemned the targeting of civilians and activists, documenting abuses as potential war crimes. Support has been mobilised for refugees and exiles, including temporary protection status in the EU. Yet, the sheer scale of displacement strains resources, and activists in exile often struggle to secure stable funding for their work.


Consequences for Ukraine
The exodus of activists and civilians has profound consequences. Locally, communities lose leaders, teachers, and organisers. Nationally, the weakening of civil society undermines democratic resilience. At the same time, the diaspora plays a crucial role in advocating for international solidarity, documenting abuses, and mobilising aid.


Long-Term Challenges
Rebuilding communities after such targeted violence will require more than physical reconstruction. Trust must be restored, civic institutions revitalised, and justice delivered for victims of war crimes. The return of displaced activists will be vital to rebuilding a society grounded in accountability and democratic values.


Conclusion: Exodus as Resistance
The targeted attacks on activists and civilians in Ukraine are not only acts of violence but strategies of war. They aim to dismantle resistance, silence dissent, and weaken communities. Yet, the exodus that follows is also a form of resistance: those forced abroad continue to speak, organise, and advocate. In doing so, they ensure that despite persecution, Ukraine’s civil society endures, both at home and in exile.