Border Guard: over 575,000 refugees from Ukraine entered Poland

It's the eighth day of Russian attack on Ukraine. Many Ukrainians are fleeing their country - mainly women with children and seniors. Men aged 18-60 have been banned from leaving the country, as they might be called up for military service. It is estimated that over 1 million people have left Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

Polish Border Guard said on Thursday that over 575,000 refugees have entered Poland since the Russian attack.

Crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border in Medyka takes much shorter than a few days ago. TVN24 reporter Małgorzata Marczok on Thursday spoke with people who have entered Poland there, and was told that it took them about 20 minutes to cross.

"The long line that used to form on the other side is gone now. By 5 p.m. on Wednesday, some 14,000 people were cleared. Less people from Ukraine are crossing the border on foot. That's because buses now pick up women with children," the reporter said.

Still there's no shortage of Poles trying to help Ukrainian families to settle in Poland. "We are going to a town near Katowice. On Monday I took one part of this family there. They called and asked me to pick up others. I'm from Lesser Poland, but I came here specifically to take them there," one man said.

Plenty of delivery cars from all over Poland can be seen along the border. They keep on bringing humanitarian aid, medicines, power generators, clothes, and other necessary items. Some of these things are being sent over to Ukrainians who have stayed in Ukraine to fight.

Buses with refugees arrive at Lwowska Street in Przemyśl, where a huge support centre has been set up. Inside large tents, volunteers provide necessary help. Also a solution has been found to quicker match those who need transport with those who offer it. TVN24 reporter Marcin Kwaśny explained that people offering to take refugees can scan a QR code or go to a special website to register.

Apart from private transport, the refugees can also board buses going to Polish and European cities.

"Volunteers say that there is less people in need here, but the situation is extremely dynamic. Małgosia Marczok said that the waiting time in Medyka was shorter. But we must remember that nearly 47,000 showed up at all border crossings in Podkarpackie (voivodeship) on Wednesday. It's nearly as many as there are residents in Przemyśl," Marcin Kwaśny said.

On Wednesday in Podkarpackie Voivodeship, the highest number of refugees was reported in Medyka (over 33,000). Over 14,000 people were cleared in Korczowa, 7,900 in Budomierz, and 5,200 in Krościenko. Some 5,500 crossed from Poland to Ukraine in Podkarpackie. To show the scale, before Russian attack on Ukraine some 30,000 people on average were crossing there in both directions.

On Wednesday, over 15,000 people crossed the border in Dorohusk (Lubelskie Voivodeship), and nearly 14,000 in Dołhobyczów. "According to Ukrainian people who have already managed to cross the border, the waiting time in Dorohusk is 5-7 hours. The waiting time changes all the time of course. Sometimes it's shorter, other times longer. It all depends on how long the clearance takes, both on the Ukrainian and Polish side," TVN24 reporter Daniel Zaborowski said in Dorohusk.

Just like in Medyka, refugees in Dorohusk can count on support after crossing the border, a hot tea and meal at least. "Here we have coffee, tea, instant soups. Just to help people warm up a bit upon entering Poland," a volunteer from Lublin said. "We are not indifferent to the fate of Ukrainians. Everyone should help them and follow the events, because they are simply our brothers," another volunteer added. Both came to Dorohusk for the first time and planned to stay and help until the evening.

Ukrainian Railways informed on Thursday on Telegram that all trains running from the east towards the west of Ukraine will be used to evacuate civilians. Furthermore, ticket sale for those trains has been closed.

The operator also assured that anyone can board those trains free of charge. Women, children, and seniors will be boarded with priority. Departure hours may change due to operational situation.

Ukrainian Railways also published a list of evacuation trains.