Ukraine: Rapid Protection Assessment-Evacuations (Sumy Oblast — May 2025)
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) conducted a rapid protection assessment in Sumy Oblast between March 25 and April 28, 2025. This assessment aimed to provide a quick snapshot of key protection risks for evacuees, challenges in the evacuation process, and their safety perceptions, complementing ongoing monitoring activities. Data was gathered through four focus group discussions with 36 evacuees and 21 key informant interviews with evacuees and service providers.
Introduction
In March 2025, the security situation in Sumy Oblast deteriorated significantly due to over 6,900 recorded explosions from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation attacks, leading to at least 14 deaths and 148 injuries. A major concern was the emergence and growth of "grey zones" (insecure border areas with limited control and humanitarian access) in Yunakivska and Khotinska hromadas.
This escalation prompted mandatory evacuations. On March 13, residents from eight settlements in Yunakivska and Myropilska hromadas were ordered to evacuate. By March 27, four more settlements in Krasnopilska hromada were added due to intensified attacks. Yunakivska hromada experienced 2,284 explosions, while Krasnopilska faced 1,884, including 596 guided aerial bombs, causing extensive destruction, displacement, and psychological distress. In early April, around 4,000 people were evacuated from Krasnopilska hromada alone. On May 5, 2025, evacuations were further expanded to Vorozhba and Bilopillia, towns with a combined population exceeding 10,000, raising concerns for the Sumy-Kyiv railway line.