The refugee crisis in Ukraine has reached a new level of urgency with the recent intensification of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. The conflict has displaced more than 1 million people, but is only one element within a broader trend that’s seen Europe grapple with an influx of refugees since World War II (WWII).
The “capital of ukraine” is a city in the country of Ukraine. It is one of the largest cities in Europe and has been a major political, cultural, economic, and scientific center for centuries.
RZESZOW, POLISH REPUBLICAN REPUBLICAN REPUBLI Since Russia invaded Ukraine nine days ago, more than 1.45 million people have fled the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. This is the quickest and greatest displacement of people in Europe since World War II, according to the UN organization.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled, the majority moving west and toward eastern European Union members Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia, which have committed to help.
As of Saturday, the following areas have been taken.
Invasion forces’ direction
Russia-controlled or associated countries
The main refugee crossing points
Putin recognizes Ukraine as an independent country.
Chernobyl
It is not in use.
Under the command of
separatists
As of Saturday, the following areas have been taken.
Invasion forces’ direction
Russia-controlled or associated countries
Putin recognizes Ukraine as an independent country.
The main refugee crossing points
Chernobyl
It is not in use.
Under the command of
separatists
As of Saturday, the following areas have been taken.
Invasion forces’ direction
Russia-controlled or associated countries
The main refugee crossing points
Putin recognizes Ukraine as an independent country.
Chernobyl
It is not in use.
Under the command of
separatists
As of Saturday, the following areas have been taken.
Invasion forces’ direction
Russia-controlled or associated countries
The main refugee crossing points
Putin recognizes Ukraine as an independent country.
As of Saturday, the following areas have been taken.
Invasion forces’ direction
Russia-controlled or associated countries
The main refugee crossing points
Putin recognizes Ukraine as an independent country.
Around half of the migrants have entered Poland, which reported on Saturday that 827,600 individuals have arrived from Ukraine since the Russian assault started on February 24. According to the agency, 33,700 people arrived in the first seven hours on Saturday, up from 33,700 the day before.
More asylum seekers have entered the EU in the short time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine than in the entire year of 2015, when 1.3 million people arrived from the Middle East and elsewhere in a wave of migration that tested the bloc’s solidarity and put pressure on leaders like former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine ten days ago, more than 1.45 million people have fled the nation, the greatest mass exodus in Europe since World War II. Reuters/Yara Nardi photo
European train companies are letting anybody with Ukrainian identity cards to travel for free, while the EU decided on Thursday to provide temporary residency permits to Ukrainian migrants, eliminating the need for them to apply for asylum.
Since before the invasion, Poland has been a fervent backer of Ukrainian independence, with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki promising arms and humanitarian aid during trips to Kyiv while Russia bolstered its forces surrounding the country.
Since then, towns and cities around Poland’s eastern border, as well as areas of neighboring countries, have organized resources to assist the surge of migrants, sending blankets and warm clothes to school sports halls and establishing logistical centers to handle the new arrivals.
Authorities in Germany have reopened refugee shelters that were utilized during the Syrian crisis in 2015-16 to accommodate newcomers from Ukraine.
Countries like Poland and Hungary attracted ire from some European politicians at the time for defying EU migration quotas and erecting walls and other barriers to keep migrants out. Those nations are on the verge of another humanitarian disaster, this time taking in citizens of a post-Soviet neighbor that has long shown interest in joining the EU.
On Friday, Mr. Morawiecki posted on Twitter, “When Russia begins fire on Ukraine, Poles open up their border and their hearts for them.”
Hundreds of volunteers are working at the Polish-Ukrainian border to locate refugee shelter and warm clothes, as well as organize further transport.
On Saturday, refugees wait for a bus near the Ukrainian border in Medyka, Poland.
Kay Nietfeld/Zuma Press/Zuma Press/Zuma Press/Zuma Press/Zuma Press
Ukrainians may obtain free meals, telephone sim cards, and assistance organizing free transport to neighboring Polish towns at the railway station in Przemysl, a town close the border.
Many of the volunteers in Przemysl are housing refugees in their homes while arranging for them to be housed in bigger cities like Krakow and Warsaw.
“This circumstance is a huge challenge, a type of test that I hope we can all pass,” Anna Leskiw, a Polish language teacher at the Ukrainian School in Przemysl, said. Ms. Leskiw has been volunteering at the railway station on a regular basis, and she is often joined by students.
“3,000 people fled one train on one day,” Ms. Leskiw added, “mostly mothers with children.” “It was a terrible sight—they were fatigued and weeping.” That was too much for my heart to bear.”
Between one million and two million Ukrainians live in Poland, many of whom have relocated there since the crisis in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed rebels and Kyiv started in 2014. Many of the newcomers are reuniting with relatives or friends who have already settled in Poland.
In a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said that Warsaw’s top goal is “providing effective help to hundreds of thousands and soon to be millions of refugees.”
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Mr. Blinken went to the Korczowa refugee processing facility, a converted shopping mall crammed with Ukrainians—mostly women and children—along with jackets and heaps of food and water bottles, only a few kilometers from the border.
One woman said that a shell hit her home in Kharkiv, killing her and her two kids, aged 6 and 1, who were hiding in the basement. “They’re kids, they don’t get it,” she said.
Jasmine Ahmadi, 16, claimed she went with her family, six dogs, and seven cats from Kyiv to Poland. “I was afraid I was going to die,” she said.
According to the government, roughly 20,000 refugees have been registered in Germany since the beginning of the conflict, a figure that continues to rise with thousands of daily arrivals at Berlin’s central railway station. According to Deutsche Bahn, more than 13,000 refugees escaping the fighting arrived in Berlin via train on Friday evening.
Last Monday, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser declared, “Of course, we would take in those who come to Germany.”
On Saturday, evacuees at the Lviv railway station in Ukraine scrambled to catch a train to Poland.
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images/daniel Leal
Germans have come to Berlin Central Station to provide food and shelter to the influx of migrants from Poland.
“My father and brother remained behind to help protect our house,” said a lady who came with her three children and elderly mother on Tuesday. “We grieve for them, not for ourselves,” she remarked as she awaited a train to Italy, where she hoped to see family.
People have traveled from all around Europe to assist the refugees at the border. Dutch, German, and Austrian residents have come at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing at Medyka to assist in the transit of Ukrainians or to provide them with a temporary shelter.
Danny Rijnenberg, a 29-year-old Dutch insulation firm employee, flew from his home in the Netherlands this week to give transportation and lodging to any Ukrainians who wish to stay with him temporarily.
Mr. Rijnenberg stood in the arrivals hall at Przemysl railway station, carrying a banner that said “Holland,” saying, “This is my human commitment.”
—This essay was co-written by Natalia Ojewska of Przemysl, Poland, and William Mauldin of Korczowa, Poland.
Matthew Luxmoore and Bojan Pancevski may be reached at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.
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