Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, over five million refugees have fled Ukraine, according to data released by the United Nations on April 20, 2022.
The disturbing milestone comes almost two months into the war and as Russian forces reposition to Ukraine's east, marking a new phase of the war and a battle for control of the Donbas region.
Russian officials including Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the start of the war that Kyiv and Ukraine would fall in a matter of days. These predictions of a swift victory fell short of reality as Ukraine's military, supported by Western military aid and sanctions, pushed back Russia's invading forces.
And while fighting continues amid Ukrainian resistance, the war's toll on Ukraine's civilian population has been heavy. The U.N. reported that approximately 3 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Poland, with thousands more entering neighboring countries and millions more displaced internally.
Evidence of war crimes committed by Russia’s military have surfaced in Ukrainian towns and cities such as Bucha that were occupied by Russian forces. United States President Joe Biden said in public statements that Putin is a war criminal and Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine.
The U.N. reported on April 18 that 2,072 civilians have been killed and 2,818 have been injured in Ukraine since Feb. 24. Included in this U.N. report of civilian deaths are 169 children.
The U.N. report, which is updated throughout each week, notes that this civilian casualty report includes conservative estimates which are likely much lower than the true number of civilians killed or injured in Ukraine.
