Hungary

More than 3 million refugees have fled Ukraine, UN says; Hungary PM flags arrival of “bigger wave” of Ukraine refugees

cde.news desk 17 March 2022, 08:15 · 1 min read

epa09808367 A volunteer and a police officer help a refugee from Ukraine arriving at the railway station in Zahony, Hungary, 07 March 2022. Russian troops entered Ukraine on 24 February prompting the country's president to declare martial law and triggering a series of announcements by Western countries to impose severe economic sanctions on Russia. EPA-EFE/ATTILA BALAZS HUNGARY OUT

According to UN estimates, more than three million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on 24 February.

Most have sought refuge in neighbouring Poland, arriving to the border by train or bus.

United Nation secretary-general António Guterres gave an update on the number of refugees late on Wednesday, saying: “The people of Ukraine desperately need peace. And the people around the world demand it. Russia must stop this war now.”

More than 3 million Ukrainian refugees have fled their country.

The people of Ukraine desperately need peace.

And the people around the world demand it.

Russia must stop this war now.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 16, 2022

Hungary expects a “bigger wave” of refugees to arrive from Ukraine next week, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on a video posted on his Facebook page.

Visiting a border crossing point near Hungary’s border with Romania and Ukraine, Orban said more border guards would be posted there next week to handle an increased number of refugees.

Orban, who faces elections on April 3, did not say in Wednesday’s comments why he expected more refugees next week.

Over the past week the number of Ukrainian refugees arriving to Hungary has fallen substantially.