2022 Ukraine Refugee Crisis

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 20, 2022 – A mother kneels to comfort her two young children after crossing the Polish border at Medyka.

People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine enter Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

The Torwar sports arena in Warsaw, Poland has been converted into a 500-bed refugee reception center, providing relief to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began, about 4,000 people have come through this center, according to Zbigniew Luzaszuk, Torwar’s head relief coordinator and retired Polish army colonel. The center provides relief services including food, clothing, sleeping areas, travel advice, and psychological services. According to the United Nations, so far 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.7 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

Drivers from the Portuguese Embassy in Warsaw, Poland donate fresh fruit and vegetables to the Torwar sports arena, which has been converted into a refugee relief center. The Torwar arena has been converted into a 500-bed refugee reception center, providing relief to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began, about 4,000 people have come through this center, according to Zbigniew Luzaszuk, Torwar’s head relief coordinator and retired Polish army colonel. The center provides relief services including food, clothing, sleeping areas, travel advice, and psychological services. According to the United Nations, so far 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.7 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

Displaced people rush to participate in a small delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables at the Torwar refugee relief center in Warsaw, Poland. The Torwar sports arena has been converted into a 500-bed refugee reception center, providing relief to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. The center provides relief services including food, clothing, sleeping areas, travel advice, and psychological services. According to the United Nations, so far 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.7 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

Refugees gather around a makeshift charging station for mobile phones in the Dworzec bus station, which is receiving buses from the Ukraine. Bus operators are offering Ukrainians free bus tickets to any destination in Poland. According to the United Nations, so far 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.7 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

A grandmother traveling with her daughter, granddaughter and the family dog waits in the Dworzec bus station for a second day. The family initially wanted to go to Finland because the grandmother requires specialized medical treatment, which they hoped to find there, however, at the Dworzec station, the bus driver refused to allow their dog on the bus to Finland so they were unable to board. The family now has tickets for a bus to Vilnius, Lithuania, which they hope will bring them closer to Finland. The grandmother does not know if their dog will be allowed onto that bus until they try to board that evening.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Warsaw, Poland, March 15, 2022

Donated baby strollers and sleeping pads for Ukrainian refugees in need are gathered outside the Warsaw Wschodnia train station, located to the east of Warsaw. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Korczowa, Poland, March 16, 2022.

Ukrainian refugees board a nighttime bus to Prague, Czech Republic from the Korczowa reception center near the Poland/Ukraine border. The Koroczowa relief center has been set up in a former shopping mall, which currently houses approximately 900 refugees but, according to volunteer personnel, recently held as many as 9,000 refugees. Inside the relief center, people are sleeping on cots outside of shuttered glass boutiques and storefronts. Just three days earlier, Russian forces lauched an airstrike on a Ukrainian military base in Lviv, just 15 miles east of the border at Korczowa, killing 35 and wounding 100 military personnel. The Korczowa reception center is the first stop refugees are brought to who are crossing that area of Poland. Since the war began, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.8 million people arriving in Poland

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Korczowa, Poland, March 16, 2022.

Ukrainian refugees board a nighttime bus to Warsaw, Poznan, Krakow, and Katowice, Poland from the Korczowa reception center near the Poland/Ukraine border. The Koroczowa relief center has been set up in a former shopping mall, which currently houses approximately 900 refugees but, according to volunteer personnel, recently held as many as 9,000 refugees. Inside the relief center, people are sleeping on cots outside of shuttered glass boutiques and storefronts. Just three days earlier, Russian forces launched an airstrike on a Ukrainian military base in Lviv, just 15 miles east of the border at Korczowa, killing 35 and wounding 100 military personnel. The Korczowa reception center is the first stop refugees are brought to who are crossing that area of Poland. Since the war began, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.8 million people arriving in Poland

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 17, 2022.

People fleeing the violence in Ukraine arrive at Poland’s Przemysl train station, about 13 miles west of the Poland/Ukraine border. For most people, this is their first stop in Poland after traveling from their cities and towns in Ukraine. Poland is offering free rail tickets to Ukrainians to destinations both within Poland and elsewhere in Europe. Relief services at the station - as well as numerous other reception areas - include free SIM cards offered by the phone companies, which enables refugees to remain in contact with relatives back in Ukraine as well as internet connectivity. Food services are being provided by volunteer organizations. Since the war began, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.8 million people arriving in Poland

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 17, 2022.

An elderly woman arriving from Ukraine is helped up the stairs to reach the arrival platform at Poland’s Przemysl train station, about 13 miles west of the Poland/Ukraine border.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 18, 2022

A man carrying a broken suitcase arrives at the Przemysl, Poland train station from the Ukraine. Przemysl is one of the eastern-most railway points in Poland and close to the Urainian border. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. Ukrainians arriving at and also departing the train station exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered at the train station, providing food, triage medical services, and a separate women and children’s space for travelers. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 17, 2022

People fleeing the violence in Ukraine at Poland’s Przemysl train station, about 13 miles west of the Poland/Ukraine border. Poland is offering free rail tickets to Ukrainians to destinations both within Poland and elsewhere in Europe. Relief services at the station - as well as numerous other reception areas - include free SIM cards offered by the phone companies, which enables refugees to remain in contact with relatives back in Ukraine as well as internet connectivity. Food services are being provided by volunteer organizations. Since the war began, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.8 million people arriving in Poland

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 18, 2022

People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine arrive at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, one of the eastern-most railway points in Poland and close to the Urainian border. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. Ukrainians arriving at and also departing the train station exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered at the train station, providing food, triage medical services, and a separate women and children’s space for travelers. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 17, 2022.

A railway attendant at Poland’s Przemysl train station assists Ukrainian refugees seeking passage to continue their journeys. Since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine began in February, 2022, Poland has been offering free rail tickets to Ukrainians to destinations both within Poland and elsewhere in Europe. A large queue of Ukrainians waited in line behind these women, each seeking to move on to their own destinations. The Przemysl station is about 13 miles west of the Poland/Ukraine border and a first arrival point inside Poland for many refugees.

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, Przemysl, Poland, March 18, 2022.

Ludmilla, draped in the Ukrainian flag, fled Lviv earlier in the day after Russian launched airstrikes on her city’s airport. She arrived at Poland’s Przemysl train station, about 13 miles west of the Poland/Ukraine border, and was met by her daughter, Julia, who is bringing her mother to her home in Germany. Since the war began, 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 1.8 million people arriving in Poland

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 20, 2022

A mother carries an infant across the Polish border at Medyka. People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine enter Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 19, 2022

Due to shortages in the Ukraine, many people still living in Ukraine travel into Poland to purchase supplies and then return to their home country at the Medyka checkpoint at the Ukraine/Poland border. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 20, 2022

People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine enter Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered on the Poland-side of the border, providing food, clothing, and triage medical services to travelers. With the EU’s open borders, people are sometimes waiting patiently on the Poland-side of the border to meet their families or friends arriving from Ukraine and transport them elsewhere. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 19, 2022

People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine line up to be transported to a reception center after entering Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered on the Poland-side of the border, providing food, clothing, and triage medical services to travelers. With the EU’s open borders, people are sometimes waiting patiently on the Poland-side of the border to meet their families or friends arriving from Ukraine and transport them elsewhere. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 19, 2022

Polish soldiers at the Medyka border crossing assist Ukrainian refugees onto a bus to a relief center in Przemysl, Poland. People fleeing the conflict in Ukraine line up to be transported to a reception center after entering Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered on the Poland-side of the border, providing food, clothing, and triage medical services to travelers. With the EU’s open borders, people are sometimes waiting patiently on the Poland-side of the border to meet their families or friends arriving from Ukraine and transport them elsewhere. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.

Ukrainian refugee crisis, Medyka, Poland, March 19, 2022

An elderly Ukrainian man waits with his dog on a bus, waiting to be transported to a refugee reception center after entering Poland on foot at the Medyka border crossing. Ukrainians crossing the border exhibit a wide range of emotions, from tears and sadness to relief and sometimes laughter, as everone’s personal situation is unique. Many people appear to be tired, weary, even exhausted from their journeys. The waiting time at this Polish border checkpoint is reported to take up to four hours for people to be processed. The vast majority of refugees are women, children, and the elderly as Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country until martial law has been lifted. NGOs and volunteer relief services have gathered on the Poland-side of the border, providing food, clothing, and triage medical services to travelers. With the EU’s open borders, people are sometimes waiting patiently on the Poland-side of the border to meet their families or friends arriving from Ukraine and transport them elsewhere. For refugees needing shelter, travel assistance, and other services, the Polish authorities provide bus transportation to a former shopping mall now converted into a refugee relief center in the nearby town of Przemysl. Poland is offering Ukrainians free traing tickets to any of the rail system’s destinations to continue their journeys if desired. Medyca is located in the southeastern region of Poland, and about 13 miles from a Ukrainian military base that was attached by Russsian forces days earler, which killed 35 and wounded about 100 military personnel. According to the United Nations, so far 3.0 million Ukrainians have fled their homes due to Russia’s invasion, with 2.0 million people arriving in Poland.