The Impact of War on Ukrainian Universities: A Difference‐in‐Differences Analysis and Post‐War Recovery Strategies

ABSTRACT The full‐scale Russian invasion and the ongoing war have a significant impact on the Ukrainian higher education system, which is primarily related to material losses caused by damage and destruction of universities and infrastructure, decreased funding, the departure of some students and university teachers abroad, decreased research productivity, and educational losses due to studying in difficult conditions. This study compares data from the pre‐war year (2021) with the period following the onset of the full‐scale invasion (2022–2024) across affected and unaffected institutions in order to evaluate the war's effects on Ukrainian universities using a Difference‐in‐Differences approach. The results indicate significant losses in conflict‐affected regions, with universities experiencing declines in public funding, student numbers, increased faculty attrition, and reduced academic productivity. The study suggests cluster‐based strategies for the post‐war recovery of Ukrainian universities, given the diversity of institutional profiles, needs, and capacities.