Train station in Ukrainian city of Lviv packed with people trying to flee war

By Abdullah Tevge

LVIV, Ukraine (AA) – The train station in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv was packed with people early Wednesday trying to flee the country amid its war with Russia.

Many volunteers distributed hot beverages and food to those waiting for trains to take them to safety in Poland.

“All these people come here just to help each other. In addition, many people from different countries come here to support us,” Andrii Andriiuk, one of the volunteers, told Anadolu Agency.

In the city, where a curfew is being imposed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., many people spend the night gathering around fires lit outside the station.

Russia began its offensive on Ukraine on Feb. 24. It has resulted in at least 136 civilians being killed, including 13 children, according to UN estimates. Around 400 others have been injured, including 26 children.

The nationwide assault has led to nearly 680,000 people fleeing Ukraine for neighboring countries, according to the international body.

Russia intensified its aerial and artillery bombardment this week, particularly on the capital, Kyiv, and Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, where a massive explosion rocked Freedom Square.​​​​​​​

Kharkiv, near the Russian border, is home to some 1.5 million people, while the population of Kyiv is nearly 3 million.