CRIMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN UKRAINE: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS IN THE CONTEXT OF WAR

Abstract

The article substantiates that rapid transformations in social relations, the onset of hybrid warfare, and the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine have been key factors influencing crime dynamics in general and, in particular, the spread of human traficking crimes. The author has conducted a criminological analysis of the quantitative and qualitative indicators of such crimes in the context of the war in Ukraine, including crime levels, dynamics, structure, geography, crime intensity, and activity coeficients, among others.

It is important to note that oficial statistical reports on registered criminal offenses do not fully reflect the actual criminogenic situation. However, they serve as a crucial indicator of changes and trends in crime dynamics, particularly in the field of human traficking. Based on the empirical data analysis, it can be concluded that the dynamics of crimes under Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine between 2014 and 2024 are characterized by significant fluctuations, yet the overall problem remains at a high level. However, it is essential to emphasize that statistical data do not reflect the latent component of human traficking. Undoubtedly, the level of latency in this phenomenon is significant, as human traficking is inherently latent, making its detection and oficial registration by law enforcement agencies challenging.

An analysis of the forms of human traficking exploitation indicates that sexual exploitation remains the most common purpose of human traficking in Ukraine (75% of all recorded cases). This trend has remained stable throughout the analyzed period from 2014 to 2024. Other forms of exploitation, such as forced labor and coerced begging, are significantly less frequent. Additionally, it has been established that human traficking does not always involve exploitation—10% of verdicts were related to the sale of children by their parents without the intent of exploitation, indicating other motives behind this crime, particularly illegal adoption.

The geographical analysis leads to the conclusion that the most criminalized areas are highly urbanized cities and regions of Ukraine bordering other countries, which significantly contribute to the cross-border movement of human traficking victims.

The research findings confirm the necessity of improving state policy in the field of preventing and combating human traficking. Furthermore, the collected data provide a foundation for further research on the internal aspects of these crimes, particularly analyzing offenders, their motivations, and the factors that drive them to commit such offenses.