January 1, 1 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine

The United Nations says that 1 million people have fled Ukraine since Russian forces invaded on Feb. 24.

It’s the “swiftest exodus of refugees this century,” AP notes. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said that more than 2,000 civilians have been killed so far. 

“In just seven days we have witnessed the exodus of one million refugees from Ukraine to neighboring countries,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

“For many millions more, inside Ukraine, it’s time for guns to fall silent, so that life-saving humanitarian assistance can be provided.”

Most Ukrainian refugees have fled to Poland. Others have crossed into Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania.

United Nations aid agencies have warned that dwindling fuel, cash and medical supplies could lead to up to 5 million people fleeing Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian forces of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Refugee count tops 1 million; Russians besiege Ukraine ports