There is not a single vacant place: Ukraine’s burgeoning refugee crisis as war nears 100th day

Since Russia declared war on Ukraine in February this year, an estimated 11 million Ukrainians have fled the war-torn nation. The European Union has extended a helping hand, allowing them to stay and work in host countries for a period of three years without a visa.

It has been a little over three months since Russia invaded Ukraine and the immediate after-effects of this were non-fighting Ukrainians moving out of their country to neighbouring nations, mostly central Europe, as refugees. The spillover and the excessive number of refugees across European cities has now resulted in them needing new schools and housing to absorb refugees unable or unwilling to return home. Most of the European nations are now looking at the possibility of providing long-term assistance to refugees, as more and more territories in Ukraine fall under Russian control.

It is estimated that close to 11 million Ukrainians (around one-quarter of Ukraine’s population) have left their nation amidst the war-like situation in their country, with the EU allowing them to stay and work in host countries for a period of three years without a visa and even the UK and the US offering support. Experts opine that this is exactly what Putin would want, where a sudden influx of refugees across the EU will destabilize the region.

It is also fathomable to keep an eye on how much the EU can really help these refugees. They must get new jobs, put their children in schools, and have places to stay. It is also about welcoming a whole new set of people that are from a different place, culturally. EU countries may soon see a decline in their levels of compassion owing to the side effects of a refugee influx.

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Lesya Homyak, a private employee in Kyiv, Ukraine spoke exclusively to India Today via a phone call documenting her ordeals in fleeing Ukraine and her decision to move back to Ukraine last week.

Asked about the current situation in Ukraine and whether the reports of a possible Ukrainian surrender were true, Lesya completely rejected those claims. She said, “Ukrainians fight for their nation and for the right to exist. So, we will never give up and we will fight till the victory. We will win with the support of the whole world. “

When asked about the current situation in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, Lesya replied “The current situation is difficult but not as bad as it was weeks ago. The Ukrainian army has managed to regain lost ground and recover lost and occupied areas in Northern Ukraine. There are no Russians there right now. Donbas is the most difficult place right now in terms of battles. But we are getting more areas back under our control.”