More Than 4 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine Since Russia’s Invasion

Topline

More than 4 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion five weeks ago, the UN’s refugee agency said, a growing figure that makes up nearly 10% of Ukraine’s pre-war population and that already exceeds UN projections in what is the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two.

Key Facts

Key Background

Aid organizations, politicians and international groups warn of an increasingly dire humanitarian situation for civilians inside Ukraine. Russian forces have been repeatedly accused of targeting civilians and violating the laws of war and several cities have been besieged and are under heavy fire. The UN said this week at least 1,119 civilians have been killed and 1,790 injured and overall figures are likely much higher, in addition to destroyed or damaged schools, hospitals and residential buildings. Medical supplies and food are dwindling and almost all efforts to establish safe routes for civilians to evacuate cities and for vital supplies to be brought in, also known as humanitarian corridors, have failed. Ukrainian officials criticized the UN’s refugee agency and other international organizations for their apparent failure to prepare for or act swiftly to respond to the crisis. While those fleeing have been welcomed with open arms by Ukraine’s neighbors, it is unclear how far this welcome will stretch and how long the solidarity will last. Moldova, for example, is one of the poorest countries in Europe and is struggling to cope with an influx of refugees representing around 15% of its population. As most men are banned from leaving Ukraine by the government (though they are not yet forced to fight), the vast majority of those fleeing are women and children (around half are children), a demographic that could strain welfare systems in countries accepting them. Aid groups also warn that many refugees are vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers, who see the war as an opportunity.

What We Don’t Know

Exactly where refugees are going. Precise numbers of those fleeing Ukraine and where they go next are difficult to calculate. Some cross the border back into Ukraine and many will move around the country they first travel to or move across borders into other countries. Several of Ukraine’s neighbors, notably Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, are within the Schengen zone of free movement. Movement throughout the zone is difficult to track due to the lack of border controls and includes the majority of countries in the European Union. There is also significant movement between Romania and Moldova, the UN notes, which can mean the total number of refugees fleeing appears larger than it is as the crossings could be counted multiple times for the same person.

Further Reading

Russia transfers thousands of Mariupol civilians to its territory (BBC)

Ukraine urged to take ‘humane’ approach as men try to flee war (Guardian)