Ukraine has opened a border crossing with Russia that had been closed since the start of the war, allowing Ukrainian refugees in Russia to return home.
Often, direct routes to areas controlled by Ukrainian forces are closed at the frontlines, forcing many Ukrainians to seek refuge in Russia.
Irina Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, stated, “It is possible and necessary to leave through the Kolotilovka-Bokrofka crossing! The crossing point between the Ukrainian Sumy region and the Russian Belgorod region has been open since last Saturday.”
To return from Russia to areas controlled by Ukraine, refugees had to take circuitous routes through European Union countries or Georgia.
Kyiv has repeatedly urged Ukrainians living in Russia-occupied areas to flee to Ukrainian territory due to ongoing attempts to seize those areas.
Earlier today, the Polish Border Guard Agency announced the arrival of around 31,800 refugees from Ukraine in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Ukrainians fleeing to Poland since the start of the Russian military operation to over 14.41 million refugees.
The agency added that approximately 31,900 Ukrainians left Poland yesterday, returning to their country, bringing the total number of Ukrainians who have returned home to 12.65 million people.
In March 2022, Poland passed a law providing a support package for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country, granting them legal residence and ensuring their right to education, healthcare, and social services.
