Ukrainian refugees arriving to a reception centre and transport hub for those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine on its fifth day. Moszczany, near the Poland-Ukraine border, Poland.
Ukrainian refugees arriving to a reception centre and transport hub for those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine on its fifth day. Moszczany, near the Poland-Ukraine border, Poland.
info
×
Medyka, Poland. Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees wait for transport to reception centres, and transport hubs, after fleeing the 9th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Medyka, Poland. Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees wait for transport to reception centres, and transport hubs, after fleeing the 9th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian mother and her son sleep, after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arriv
Przemyśl, Poland. Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian mother and her son sleep, after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues.
info
×

Shot & written for POLITICO Europe


More than two million people have so far fled Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded it on February 24. With temperatures barely above freezing, more than half of those — mostly women and children — have escaped to Poland. The seemingly endless number of people streaming into Polish border towns are making their way by train, bus, car and even on foot. Any means will do when your country is a war zone.

 

Though many comparisons have been made between the current situation and the “refugee crisis” of 2015 — when more than a million people arrived at the European Union’s border from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iraq — newly displaced Ukrainians seem to be uniting Europe, rather than tearing it apart. 


We are witnessing the Continent’s quickest and largest refugee intake since World War II. The U.N.’s Refugee Agency expects as many as 4 million people may flee as the conflict continues, but that figure could fall well short of reality.

And so every day on the border, an army of volunteers from Poland and across Europe greets new arrivals, handing out hot meals and pre-loaded SIM cards, then directing their new neighbors toward mounds of donated clothing and to former supermarket warehouses and car parks, now serving as temporary shelters.


Arrival points are lined with men holding up signs with European city names written in Ukrainian and English, helping to guide those traveling by bus or train. Posters and leaflets abound, warning Ukrainian women and children of the risk involved in accepting free transport — and the dangers of abuse and human trafficking.


It is an altogether different sort of welcome from what thousands of migrants and refugees faced earlier this year, attempting to cross from Belarus to Poland. They were met with fierce resistance from Polish border guards and soldiers rather than open arms. 


Once Russia’s assault on the country began, non-Ukrainian citizens who had been living in the country were, of course, forced to flee as well. And their welcome at the border, according to many who spoke to POLITICO, was similarly icy. Many recounted interactions at border crossings that felt distinctly racist — at the hands of both Ukrainian and Polish authorities: White Ukrainian citizens were led to the front of the queue, while those who didn’t look the part were pushed to the back.


For those who make it across the border — more than a million so far — Przemyśl train station is their gateway to the EU. Special trains run, free of charge for Ukrainian passport holders, taking them to larger Polish cities like Warsaw and Krakow. From there, connecting trains can take them further west, and further from home.


There is chaos in the air, with so many lives suddenly uprooted and a war zone in the distance. But at the train station, a sense of calm, of relief, prevails: They’ve made it out — to safety — and Europe’s response has allowed them to stay.


Ukrainians squeeze onto trains going to western Polish cities at Przemyśl train station, which has become the transit point and waiting room for tens of thousands of Ukrainians and third country nationals fleeing the Russian invasion on nearby Ukraine. Pr
Ukrainians squeeze onto trains going to western Polish cities at Przemyśl train station, which has become the transit point and waiting room for tens of thousands of Ukrainians and third country nationals fleeing the Russian invasion on nearby Ukraine. Przemyśl, Poland.
info
×
Ukrainian refugee families sleep in a disused shopping centre in Przemyśl, Poland, before making the next step of their journey to a new home.
Ukrainian refugee families sleep in a disused shopping centre in Przemyśl, Poland, before making the next step of their journey to a new home.
info
×
Posters and signs protesting the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the centre of Przemyśl, a south-eastern Polish town near the border with Ukraine, and the arrival point for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. 
Poland has so far taken in more than
Posters and signs protesting the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the centre of Przemyśl, a south-eastern Polish town near the border with Ukraine, and the arrival point for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Poland has so far taken in more than 950,000 Ukrainians, and there are no signs of the evacuation slowing.
info
×
Przemyśl train station, Poland. 
A Polish volunteer distributes food to a newly arrived Ukrainian mother and child, outside the train station. The arrival point of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, the Polish border tow
Przemyśl train station, Poland. A Polish volunteer distributes food to a newly arrived Ukrainian mother and child, outside the train station. The arrival point of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, the Polish border town of Przemyśl has set up vast facilities to assist the new arrivals. Free meals, clothing, SIM cards, and transport are all on offer.
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 d
Przemyśl, Poland. Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues. Signs on the walls indicate where to meet for free transportation to cities elsewhere in Europe.
info
×
Ukrainian refugees walk out from the train station in Przemyśl, the point of entry for tens of thousands escaping the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 
Przemyśl, Poland. Tens of thousands of people have transited through the station in recent days, from Lviv,
Ukrainian refugees walk out from the train station in Przemyśl, the point of entry for tens of thousands escaping the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Przemyśl, Poland. Tens of thousands of people have transited through the station in recent days, from Lviv, Odessa and Kyiv, and it has served as the entrance to Poland, and a gateway to the EU
info
×
Signs at the Przemyśl train station in Poland, near the border with Ukraine. Nearly a million Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion have arrived to Poland in the past ten days, since the conflict began.
Signs at the Przemyśl train station in Poland, near the border with Ukraine. Nearly a million Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion have arrived to Poland in the past ten days, since the conflict began.
info
×
In a converted supermarket carpark, buses arrive carrying tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. People greet the arrivals holding signs offering free transportation to cities across Europe.
In a converted supermarket carpark, buses arrive carrying tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. People greet the arrivals holding signs offering free transportation to cities across Europe.
info
×
Przemyśl train station, Poland/Ukraine border. 
A Ukrainian woman uses her phone onboard a special train service to western Polish cities, specifically for Ukrainians arriving in Poland, fleeing the Russian invasion. Refugees are met with free meals, free
Przemyśl train station, Poland/Ukraine border. A Ukrainian woman uses her phone onboard a special train service to western Polish cities, specifically for Ukrainians arriving in Poland, fleeing the Russian invasion. Refugees are met with free meals, free SIM cards, free transportation, and clothing, for them to continue their journey.
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian girl rests after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in
Przemyśl, Poland. Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian girl rests after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues.
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian boy rests after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in
Przemyśl, Poland. Sleeping in a converted Tesco supermarket warehouse (now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds), a Ukrainian boy rests after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues.
info
×
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 d
Przemyśl, Poland. Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues. Signs on the walls indicate where to meet for free transportation to cities elsewhere in Europe.
info
×
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
info
×
Donations of food and clothing are being distributed by volunteers from across Europe, at a makeshift reception centre in a former supermarket carpark in the Polish town of Przemyśl, a few kilometres from the border with Ukraine. More than 950,000 people
Donations of food and clothing are being distributed by volunteers from across Europe, at a makeshift reception centre in a former supermarket carpark in the Polish town of Przemyśl, a few kilometres from the border with Ukraine. More than 950,000 people have fled from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to Poland in the past 10 days.
info
×
A young Ukrainian boy sleeps on the floor of the train station in Przemyśl, Poland, having just arrived from Ukraine by train.

A Ukrainian boy rests on the floor of Przemyśl train station in south eastern Poland, after just arriving by train from Ukraine. 

info
×
Ukrainian refugees arrive from trains from cities across Ukraine, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
Ukrainian refugees arrive from trains from cities across Ukraine, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
info
×
Food containers left on the platform of Przemyśl train station. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion have passed through the station in the past ten days. Arrivals are met with donations of food, clothing, phone cards, and
Food containers left on the platform of Przemyśl train station. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion have passed through the station in the past ten days. Arrivals are met with donations of food, clothing, phone cards, and transport assistance, as they continue their journeys further into Western Europe.
info
×
Refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine sit at the entrance of the train station in Przemyśl, Poland. Tens of thousands of people have transited through the station in recent days, from Lviv, Odessa and Kyiv
Refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine sit at the entrance of the train station in Przemyśl, Poland. Tens of thousands of people have transited through the station in recent days, from Lviv, Odessa and Kyiv
info
×
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
info
×
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
info
×
The Poland-Ukraine border crossing point in Medyka, Poland. Ukrainian families walk across the border into Poland, fleeing the Russian invasion.

A Ukrainian family crosses the Ukraine-Poland border. Medyka, Polish border with Ukraine. 

info
×
An emotional reunion in the main hall of Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, which serves as the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days. More than a million Ukrainians hav
An emotional reunion in the main hall of Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, which serves as the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days. More than a million Ukrainians have reached Poland, and more than 1.5 million have fled Ukraine since the conflict began on the 26th of February 2022.
info
×
An exhausted Ukrainian woman sleeps on the floor in a corridor of the Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, which serves as the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days. More
An exhausted Ukrainian woman sleeps on the floor in a corridor of the Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, which serves as the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days. More than a million Ukrainians have reached Poland, and more than 1.5 million have fled Ukraine since the conflict began on the 26th of February 2022.
info
×
Ukrainian refugee families sleep in a disused shopping centre in Przemyśl, Poland, before making the next step of their journey to a new home.

A former Tesco shopping centre is now a temporary shelter and arrival centre, for Ukrainian refugees in Przemyśl, Poland. 

info
×
Ukrainian refugees wait for trains going to western Polish cities at Przemyśl train station, which has become the transit point and waiting room for tens of thousands of Ukrainians and third country nationals fleeing the Russian invasion on nearby Ukraine

Przemyśl train station, Poland. A Ukrainian refugee family asks about the train schedule to a platform signal guard. 

info
×
Mobile phones and power banks charge in a temporary refugee shelter, in a former supermarket warehouse in the Polish town of Przemyśl, a few kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and the site where hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Russian invas
Mobile phones and power banks charge in a temporary refugee shelter, in a former supermarket warehouse in the Polish town of Przemyśl, a few kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and the site where hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Russian invasion have arrived into the EU.
info
×
Ukrainian refugee families take buses to other cities and counties from outside the Przemyśl train station, south eastern Poland.

A Ukrainian mother and her daughter prepare to take a bus to western Polish cities, after arriving in Przemyśl, Poland from Lviv by train. 

info
×
Donated sandwiches for Ukrainian refugees that have just arrived on trains from cities across Ukraine, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the
Donated sandwiches for Ukrainian refugees that have just arrived on trains from cities across Ukraine, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
info
×
Przemyśl, Poland. 
Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 d
Przemyśl, Poland. Inside a former supermarket warehouse, now a temporary reception centre filled with camp beds, Ukrainian families rest after arriving from the nearby Ukrainian border. More than 950,000 Ukrainians have arrived to Poland in the past 10 days since the Russian invasion began in Ukraine, and millions more refugees are expected, as the violence continues. Signs on the walls indicate where to meet for free transportation to cities elsewhere in Europe.
info
×
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
Ukrainian refugees board trains to western Polish cities, at Przemyśl train station near the Polish border with Ukraine, the arrival point for tens of thousands fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past ten days.
info
×
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
Newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Poland disembark from buses that brought them over the nearby border. From here in Przemyśl, people are offered free transportation to other cities across Europe.
info
×
Using Format