Romance and parenthood feel remote in Ukraine: 'I haven't had a date since before the war'

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 7 min read 100% complete January 10, 2026 at 01:05 AM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

The war in Ukraine is significantly impacting relationships and family planning. With millions of women living abroad and many men deployed or avoiding conscription, dating and marriage rates are declining. Women in Ukraine report difficulty finding suitable partners, citing concerns about men avoiding military service, the challenges of relationships with soldiers, and the potential for younger men to leave the country. Many men of fighting age are hesitant to go out, and soldiers returning from the front lines are often traumatized. The ongoing conflict has made forming lasting connections and planning for the future difficult for Ukrainians.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Denys 40% Laura Gozzi 50% Lviv 50% BBC News 60% Khrystyna 60% Kyiv ×270% Daria ×580% Ukraine ×390%

Keywords

ukraine 100% war 90% relationships 90% dating 80% parenthood 70% conscription 70% birth rates 60% long-distance relationships 50% marriage 50% trauma 40%