Ukrainian refugee tally tops 368,000 since Russian invasion, UN agency says

United Nations High Commission for Refugees says number is still rising and up to 4 million Ukrainians could flee if the situation deteriorates further

By Agencies 27 February 2022, 2:39 pm

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A refugee boy who fled conflict from neighboring Ukraine cries at the railway station after arriving at Zahony, Hungary, February 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
Helena (R) and her brother Bodia (L) from Lviv are seen at the Medyka pedestrian border crossing, in eastern Poland on February 26, 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP)
Ukrainian refugees arrive from their homeland at Zahonyi railway station close to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border on February 27, 2022 (Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
People who fled the conflict from neighboring Ukraine embrace after crossing the Romanian-Ukrainian border, in Siret, Romania, February 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Ukrainian refugees are seen at a temporary shelter at the border crossing in Ubla, eastern Slovakia, on February 27, 2022 (PETER LAZAR / AFP)

GENEVA, Switzerland — The UN refugee agency said Sunday more than 368,000 people had fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Thursday.

“The current total is now 368,000 and continues to rise,” United Nations High Commission for Refugees, or UNHCR, said in a tweet, adding the new figure was based on “data made available by national authorities.”

A large number of those escaping to neighboring countries have crossed over into Poland, where the authorities have counted some 156,000 crossing since the invasion started early Thursday.

The refugees have arrived in cars, in packed trains and even on foot.

Border guards counted some 77,300 arrivals from Ukraine on Saturday alone.

Others have also headed to Moldavia, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.

People who fled the conflict from neighboring Ukraine embrace after crossing the Romanian-Ukrainian border, in Siret, Romania, February 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

In contrast to other conflicts around the globe, Russia’s unprovoked attack on the Western-leaning democracy has ignited a huge outpouring of support for the fleeing Ukrainians. This included an unconditional welcome from nations like Poland and Hungary that did not want to accept those fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.

Those who arrive with nowhere to go are relying on the help of volunteers — both members of NGOs and private citizens.

Regular people were opening up their homes to refugees and volunteering at welcome centers. In Poland, a Facebook page was formed where people were offered rides in private cars from the border and other help.

Helena (R) and her brother Bodia (L) from Lviv are seen at the Medyka pedestrian border crossing, in eastern Poland on February 26, 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP)

Volunteers even came from elsewhere in Europe to pick up refugees, among them a German couple from Hamburg who held up a sign at the Polish border town of Medyka saying they could take three people home with them.

Despite the goodwill, the crush of people at the borders has become a very real ordeal.

The UN agency expects up to 4 million Ukrainians could flee if the situation deteriorates further.