Over 3.5 million refugees fled Ukraine since Russia began invasion: UNHRC

Geneva: More than 3.55 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia began invasion on February 24, the latest update from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said.

According to the update, 3,557,245 refugees have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. 

The UN body said as many as 2,113,554 people have fled to Poland, 543,308 to Romania, 367,913 to Moldova, 317,863 to Hungary.

UNHRC update also stated that 253,592 have fled to Slovakia, 252,376 to Russian Federation and 4,308 to Belarus since the Russia began full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

The UN agency said the number of refugees fleeing Ukraine may be higher as the figures collated just include those crossing the border between Romania and Moldova.

“The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has caused destruction of civilian infrastructure and civilian casualties and has forced people to flee their homes seeking safety, protection and assistance,” UNHRC said. 

The agency has also said that it has ramped up supplies of thermal blankets, hot meals, and tents along the Ukrainian border, with a particular focus along the Polish side as temperatures plummet.