Surrogacy During the War in Ukraine: Realities of 2026 for Intended Parents

An inside look at how international surrogacy programs operate in Ukraine today, from someone who has remained on the ground throughout the war.

If you are considering a surrogacy program in Ukraine, it is completely natural to have questions about safety and what daily life actually looks like here in 2026.

In this article, I am not going to focus on the political aspects of the war or revisit the difficult events of the past years. By now, most people around the world are familiar with the fact that Ukraine has been living through extraordinary circumstances. What is often less understood, however, is how life, medical care, and international fertility programs actually function today.

My goal is not to tell the story of the war itself. Instead, I want to focus on what matters most to intended parents: how surrogacy programs operate today, what practical considerations exist, and what international families can realistically expect when choosing Ukraine in 2026.

As someone who has remained in Ukraine throughout the entire period of the war, continuing to work directly with international fertility patients, surrogate mothers, and fertility clinics, I would like to share firsthand observations and answer the questions we receive most often from intended parents considering a surrogacy journey in Ukraine.

Why Intended Parents Continue Choosing Ukraine in 2026

One of the biggest misconceptions we still encounter is the belief that international surrogacy programs in Ukraine have stopped or significantly slowed down since the beginning of the war.

In reality, this has not been our experience.

Throughout the war, we have continued signing new contracts, supporting existing programs, and welcoming international families from different countries. Future parents continue to explore surrogacy in Ukraine because the fundamental advantages that made Ukraine one of the world’s leading surrogacy destinations have not disappeared.

The most important reason is Ukraine’s well-established legal framework for surrogacy. Ukrainian legislation has successfully regulated surrogacy programs for many years and provides clear protection for the rights of intended parents, surrogate mothers, and, most importantly, the child.

For many international families, legal certainty remains one of the most important factors when choosing a surrogacy destination.

Understanding the Reality of 2026

Many intended parents form their impression of Ukraine through news headlines. However, daily life is often very different from what people imagine.

People continue to work, attend medical appointments, raise their families, and plan for the future. Over the years, Ukrainians have learned how to adapt and navigate these realities responsibly.

When evaluating surrogacy options in Ukraine, we encourage families to rely on current information, firsthand experience, and professional guidance rather than assumptions based on outdated information.

A Personal Perspective

My perspective on this topic is not only professional but also deeply personal.

Throughout the war, I remained in Ukraine and continued working directly with intended parents, surrogate mothers, and fertility clinics. In 2024, I welcomed my own son here in Odesa.

Like any expectant mother, I carefully considered my options. Ultimately, I chose to continue my pregnancy in Ukraine and entrusted my care to the same medical professionals and maternity hospitals that care for many of the surrogate mothers participating in our programs.

I have seen these professionals at work for many years. I know their level of expertise and dedication not only as a fertility specialist, but also as a mother.

What Has Changed Since 2022?

The biggest practical change for international patients was the closure of Ukrainian airports.

Naturally, this raised concerns about travel logistics. However, over time, new travel routes became well established and are now used routinely by families pursuing surrogacy in Ukraine.

Today, most patients arrive through neighboring European countries and nearby international airports.

To make the journey as comfortable as possible, we arrange complimentary airport pick-up and transportation directly to their hotel, apartment, or destination city in Ukraine.

Whether families are traveling to Odesa or Uzhhorod, the process has become highly organized and familiar to our team. While the journey may take longer than a direct flight to Ukraine once did, it is no longer considered a major obstacle for most international families.

Another important change concerns travel after the baby is born.

Many intended parents are surprised to learn that, in some cases, the process of obtaining documents and returning home has become more streamlined than it was in previous years. Many embassies and consular offices have adapted their procedures, helping families complete the necessary paperwork more efficiently.

Depending on nationality and individual circumstances, some families choose to stay temporarily in neighboring Moldova while baby passport applications, citizenship procedures, or consular documentation are being finalized.

Over the years, we have developed extensive experience assisting families with birth certificates, citizenship applications, baby passports, and embassy procedures, allowing parents to focus on their newborn while we continue coordinating the administrative process.

In many cases, a surrogacy journey can even begin remotely. Embryos can be shipped to Ukraine, documentation can be prepared in advance, and much of the preparation process can be completed without the intended parents traveling to Ukraine for the initial stages of the program.

For some families, only the final visit for the birth of their child may be necessary.

Safety Measures for Surrogate Mothers

Over the years, we have developed practical safety protocols designed to protect both surrogate mothers and the babies they carry.

One of the most important aspects of our planning is flexibility. Before starting a program, surrogate mothers are informed about emergency procedures and understand that relocation may become necessary if circumstances require it.

All surrogate mothers hold valid international passports and are prepared to travel if needed. Should additional safety measures ever become necessary, relocation to Western Ukraine or, where appropriate and legally possible, to a neighboring European country can be arranged.

Housing is another important consideration. We accommodate surrogate mothers in modern residential buildings that provide access to protected shelter areas and underground parking facilities constructed with reinforced concrete structures.

Maternity hospitals also follow established safety procedures, and medical teams are trained to respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Transportation is carefully organized as well. Our surrogate mothers travel to medical appointments using private transportation rather than public transit, providing greater comfort, flexibility, and control.

We also place surrogate mothers in locations where pharmacies, grocery stores, and medical facilities are easily accessible, minimizing unnecessary travel throughout the pregnancy.

Safety planning is not something we begin after a problem occurs. It is built into the program from the very beginning.

Where Do Our Surrogate Mothers Live?

Another common question future parents ask is whether surrogate mothers continue living in different regions of Ukraine throughout the pregnancy.

Our approach is much more structured.

We primarily work with surrogate mothers who live in the Odesa region and remain within a reasonable distance of the medical facilities and specialists responsible for their care.

If a surrogate mother initially lives farther away but is accepted into the program, relocation closer to Odesa may be required. In such cases, accommodation is provided to ensure convenient access to medical care and ongoing support.

The same principle applies in Uzhhorod. Whenever possible, we prioritize surrogate mothers who already live in the region.

However, if an exceptional surrogate candidate is selected from another area, she may relocate to Uzhhorod and remain there throughout the pregnancy under the supervision of our medical team.

This approach is not only related to security considerations. It is also an important part of our quality-control process. We prefer pregnancies to be monitored by trusted specialists and medical teams with whom we have extensive experience working.

Safety Measures for Intended Parents

Safety planning is not limited to surrogate mothers.

Just like our surrogate mothers, intended parents are accommodated in modern residential buildings with access to protected shelter areas and established safety procedures.

Upon arrival, families receive practical guidance regarding local safety procedures, transportation, communication, and emergency contacts. We also help them install mobile applications and information resources that provide real-time updates and alerts.

We ask all intended parents to follow the safety recommendations and procedures provided by our team throughout their stay.

Perhaps most importantly, they are never expected to navigate these situations alone. Our team remains available to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist whenever needed.

Why Many Intended Parents Choose Uzhhorod and Western Ukraine

Over the past several years, we have seen growing interest in Western Ukraine, particularly the city of Uzhhorod.

Located directly near the Slovakian border, Uzhhorod is one of the westernmost cities in Ukraine and offers convenient access to neighboring European Union countries.

For many families, Western Ukraine provides an additional level of comfort and peace of mind because of its location farther from active frontline areas.

Another advantage is logistics. International patients can often reach Uzhhorod through nearby European airports and border crossings, making travel straightforward and predictable.

For these reasons, many families specifically request programs in Western Ukraine and appreciate having this option available when planning their family-building journey.

Why Some Families Continue Choosing Odesa

It is important to note that every location has its own advantages.

While many intended parents appreciate Western Ukraine because of its location and proximity to European Union borders, Odesa continues to offer significant medical advantages.

As one of Ukraine’s largest cities, Odesa has a long-established medical infrastructure, multiple maternity hospitals, a major medical university, and a large network of highly experienced fertility specialists, obstetricians, and ultrasound physicians.

For this reason, some families feel more comfortable choosing Odesa because of the depth of available medical resources and expertise.

Ultimately, there is no single solution that is right for every family. Some prioritize proximity to EU borders, while others place greater importance on access to extensive medical infrastructure.

Common Concerns That Often Turn Out to Be Different in Reality

Over the years, we have noticed that many intended parents arrive in Ukraine with an image of daily life that is often much more restrictive than what they actually experience.

Some families are initially hesitant to leave their apartment, visit restaurants, walk through the city, or spend time outdoors. They often expect daily life to be much more limited than it actually is.

In reality, many visitors are surprised to discover that people continue working, shopping, meeting friends, taking their children to parks, and carrying out their normal routines whenever conditions allow.

Many intended parents are also surprised by how different Odesa feels in reality compared to what they expected before arriving.

Once they begin visiting cafés, parks, restaurants, and other public places, they often discover a city that remains active, vibrant, and full of everyday life. Seeing this with their own eyes frequently helps families feel more relaxed and comfortable during their stay.

What We Learned Since 2022

When the war began in February 2022, we were already actively managing ongoing surrogacy programs.

At that time, approximately 20 surrogate mothers were already pregnant, and around 20 additional intended parent contracts had recently been signed.

Naturally, the first weeks brought uncertainty for everyone involved.

However, what followed gave us valuable experience and confidence.

All ongoing pregnancies were successfully completed, healthy babies were born, and families were reunited. The necessary documentation was prepared, and the intended parents were able to return home with their children.

The programs that had been temporarily affected by force majeure were gradually restarted as new procedures became available, and those families also continued their journeys.

Looking back, one of the most important lessons was that preparation, flexibility, and professional coordination matter far more than panic.

Reducing Time Spent in Ukraine After Birth

Another important aspect of safety planning involves minimizing the amount of time intended parents and their newborns need to remain in Ukraine after delivery.

Over the years, we have developed efficient procedures designed to help families complete the necessary documentation process as smoothly as possible.

This includes expedited document preparation, professional translation services, fast coordination of birth certificate applications, document scanning, embassy preparation, and ongoing guidance throughout citizenship and baby passport applications.

Whenever possible, we also help families explore options that may allow them to continue certain administrative procedures outside Ukraine.

For some families, this may include a temporary relocation to Moldova, where our team can continue providing support while the remaining documentation is finalized.

Our goal is always the same: to help families complete all necessary legal and administrative requirements efficiently, allowing them to focus on their newborn and return home as soon as reasonably possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is surrogacy still legal in Ukraine in 2026?

Yes. There have been no significant legislative changes affecting surrogacy programs for eligible intended parents.

2. Can intended parents still travel to Ukraine?

Yes. International families continue to travel to Ukraine. Since Ukrainian airports are currently closed, patients arrive through neighboring European countries and nearby international airports, where our team organizes transportation.

3. Is Western Ukraine safer than Odesa?

Many families view Western Ukraine as providing an additional level of comfort because of its location near European Union borders. However, both locations can successfully support surrogacy programs when proper planning, logistics and support systems are in place.

4. Can embryos still be shipped to Ukraine?

Yes. Embryo shipping to Ukraine continues to operate normally.

5. Is it possible to start a surrogacy program remotely?

In many cases, yes. Documentation and embryo shipment can often be organized remotely, reducing the number of visits required.

6. What happens if travel regulations change in the future?

We continuously monitor developments and maintain contingency plans. During previous periods of international restrictions, including COVID-19, we successfully assisted families with alternative solutions when necessary.

7. How long do intended parents usually stay in Ukraine after the baby is born?

Timelines vary depending on nationality, embassy requirements and individual circumstances. In many cases, the process may take approximately two weeks to one month after birth.

8. Can documentation be completed outside Ukraine?

In some cases, yes. Depending on nationality and embassy requirements, certain procedures may continue outside Ukraine.

9. Do surrogate mothers have relocation plans if necessary?

Yes. We maintain contingency plans that may include relocation to Western Ukraine or, where appropriate and legally possible, alternative arrangements outside Ukraine.

10. Are fertility clinics operating normally?

Yes. IVF clinics, maternity hospitals, and medical specialists continue to operate and support international patients.

11. What should intended parents expect during their visit to Ukraine?

Above all, intended parents should expect professional guidance, clear communication, and continuous support throughout their journey.

Many of our clients tell us that one of the biggest sources of comfort is knowing they are never left to navigate the process alone. From arrival and accommodation to medical appointments, documentation, and travel planning, our team remains available every step of the way.

Our goal is simple: to ensure that intended parents feel informed, supported, well cared for, and confident throughout their entire surrogacy journey.

---

Written by Anna Lisnichenko

CEO of Perfect Surrogacy | Head-Coordinator, International Fertility & Legal Assistance Specialist with 15+ years of experience supporting international fertility patients.