Up to five million Ukrainians could flee the country following Russian invasion, says UN

Russian President Vladimir Putin defied Western warnings and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

People fleeing the conflict from neighbouring Ukraine arrive to Przemysl train station in Poland. Source: AP / Petr David Josek/AP

Fuel, cash and medical supplies are running low in parts of Ukraine after Russia's invasion, which could drive up to five million people to flee abroad, UN aid agencies said.

At least 100,000 people in Ukraine have fled their homes since Russia launched its assault on Thursday, while several thousand have already crossed into neighbouring countries including Moldova, Romania and Poland, UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said.

"We are looking at ranges of one to three million into Poland for example ... A scenario of one to five million including all surrounding countries," Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, told a UN briefing in Geneva.

Ukrainian women and children are seen at the Slovak-Ukrainian border crossing at Vysne Nemecke. Source: AFP / PETER LAZAR/AFP via Getty Images

Missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Friday as Russian forces pressed their advance.

Air raid sirens wailed over the city of three million people, where some were sheltering in underground metro stations.

"As we speak, there have been major attacks in Kyiv that have created great fear and panic among the population with families really scared, moving alongside their children into subways and shelters. This is clearly a terrifying moment for children across the country," Ms Khan told the briefing.

"We are still trying to see which civilian infrastructure in Ukraine has been hit where," she said.

People wait for their relatives at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland. Source: LightRocket / SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

UNICEF was focusing on cash assistance to families, she said. The effect of Western sanctions, which have been imposed on Russia, will be analysed in terms of the aid pipeline, she said.

UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that it had reports of at least 127 civilian casualties in Ukraine - 25 killed and 102 injured - "caused by shelling and airstrikes". This was likely a significant under-estimate, she said.

Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine, speaking by video from Kyiv, said that it had no reports from hospitals but was trying to monitor casualties and needs.

The priority is to provide treatment for the wounded as well as mental health and psychological support, he said.