People fleeing Ukraine worry for loved ones back home as war escalates

By Mesut Zeyrek and Bahattin Gonultas

KORCZOWA, Poland (AA) - People who have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its war against the country and arrived in Poland worry for loved ones back home as the fighting intensifies.

Taking shelter in a market depot after crossing the border in Korczowa, Poland, Ukrainian civilians were exhausted after their journey to the border.

A mother who was able to cross the border with her three-year-old child after a three-day journey from Odessa said they had to wait a long time on the roads.

Living in Odessa became very dangerous, she said.

"We first settled in where my parents lived in another district of Odessa after the war began. Our neighbors' windows were broken after a rocket or bomb fell in the river. We thought that staying there was dangerous. We saw some people leaving the area and we did so.

“My son is three years old. We came here with my husband, who is not a Ukrainian citizen. My mother and father are at our house. I want to return home as soon as possible,” she added.

Another mother living in Odessa said the war started while she was visiting her daughter studying at a university.

"I think this war actually started in 1991. All this time, Russia has been putting pressure on Ukraine to prevent it from getting stronger and developing towards Europe," she said.

"Although we came from Lviv, we had no problems. The organization was perfect. We moved from Lviv to the Ukrainian border by bus. Lots of people are ready to help here. The manners of the people who greeted us were very good. To be honest, I cried."

An 18-year-old girl studying at Lviv Polytechnic National University said: "I was living in Lviv, Ukraine for about six months apart from my family. Two days before the war broke out, my mother and father came to visit me. Of course I'm very sad right now."

“My father is in Odessa now. There is no good atmosphere in the city and it is very dangerous. We had to come to Poland with my mother. We had no other choice. We don't know when we will be back home and we are worried,” she added.

Russia's war on Ukraine has been met with outrage from the international community, with the European Union, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia was further isolated after its planes were barred from flying in European and Canadian airspace, and a number of its banks were kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.