UN: 1 million have already fled Ukraine, 3 million more may follow

A Ukrainian refugee family and other Ukrainians fleeing their country arrive at the Ukrainian-Hungarian border crossing in Tiszabecs, on February 27, 2022. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP)
A Ukrainian refugee family and other Ukrainians fleeing their country arrive at the Ukrainian-Hungarian border crossing in Tiszabecs, on February 27, 2022. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP)

More than 4 million refugees may end up fleeing Ukraine due to Russia’s ongoing invasion, the United Nations says.

On Wednesday, the UN said that 1 million people have already fled since Russia began invading last week, an exodus without precedent in this century for its speed.

The UN says that “while the scale and scope of displacement is not yet clear, we do expect that more than 10 million people may flee their homes if violence continues, including 4 million people who may cross borders to neighboring countries,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.

Syria, whose civil war erupted in 2011, remains the country with the largest refugee outflows — nearly 5.7 million people, according to UNHCR’s figures. But even at the swiftest rate of flight out of that country, in early 2013, it took at least three months for 1 million refugees to leave Syria.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.