War-induced (im)mobilities and immobilizing effects in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war

This contribution examines the complex dynamics of war-induced mobilities, focusing on the Russo-Ukrainian war’s impact on human movement and immobility. Drawing on theories of necropolitics, regimes of mobility, and mobility justice, the study examines how war compels some individuals to flee while immobilizing others, creating significant theoretical and methodological challenges. The analysis highlights the uneven scholarly attention given to different forms of mobility, such as refugees and internally displaced persons, compared to less visible movements like deportation, smuggling, human trafficking, and war imprisonment. The article also investigates how regimes of mobility are shaped by and, in turn, influence international relations, with a particular focus on the policies governing movement across borders. Through case studies from Ukraine and Russia, the contribution provides a comparative understanding of the diverse and often underexplored effects of modern warfare on civilian populations.