Ukrainian science is struggling, threatening long-term economic recovery – history shows ways to support the Ukrainian scientific system

Russian attacks have destroyed much of Ukraine's scientific infrastructure, including university facilities like Karazin University's School of Physics and Technology, seen here. Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has done a lot of damage to the Ukrainian scientific system. The ongoing war has damaged physical infrastructure, thousands of Ukrainian scientists have fled their country to seek safety abroad, and the researchers who stayed have experienced significant disruptions to their work.

We are three economists who study the benefits of science and knowledge production, and a medical researcher originally from Ukraine. Two of us are also co-founders of #ScienceForUkraine, a grassroots initiative that helps support Ukrainian scientists and students.