1115,000 Ukrainian Refugees Have Crossed Into Poland As Russian Troops Advance

Topline

Around 115,000 Ukrainians have fled into neighboring Poland since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began three days ago, Pawel Szefernaker, Poland’s deputy interior minister, said Saturday, as Ukrainian forces battle Russian troops on multiple fronts, including around the capital Kyiv.

Key Facts

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said Friday the majority of people who had fled Ukraine so far had sought shelter in neighboring Poland and Moldova—Poland was expected to be a leading destination given its long shared border with Ukraine and the fact that there are already about 1 million Ukrainians living there. 

Long lines of cars formed on the Ukrainian side of the border with Poland on Friday, with many Ukrainians opting to abandon their vehicles to cross on foot, the Washington Post reported.

Kelly Clements, the U.N.’s deputy high commissioner for refugees, told CNN Saturday that 850,000 Ukrainians had been internally displaced by the fighting and as many as 4 million could flee if the war worsened.

Key Background

Russian troops sortied into Kyiv overnight Saturday as its forces closed in around the city, with gunfire and explosions heard in the central Maidan square. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has extended the city’s curfew to between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., urging residents to stay inside during those hours. The Pentagon believes the Russians are “increasingly frustrated” by a lack of momentum in northern Ukraine, amid resistance from the Ukrainian military that has been “greater than what the Russians expected,” a U.S. defense official said Saturday. Ukraine has been hit by more than 250 missile strikes, most of which were short-range ballistic missiles, the official said, with some impacting residential areas. A large apartment building in western Kyiv was heavily damaged by a missile strike early Saturday. 

Further Reading

100,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived since start of Russian invasion, says Polish Border Guard (CNN)

Poland says 100,000 Ukrainians have arrived since start of war (Washington Post)

Thousands Flee Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion That Could Displace Millions, Creating A Refugee Crisis For Europe (Forbes)