Number of Ukrainian refugees reaches 2.5M - UN

Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2.5 million people have fled the country to escape the war.

This was announced on Twitter by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, Ukrinform reports.

"The number of refugees from Ukraine — tragically — has reached today 2.5 million," the top official wrote.

Grandi added that, according to UN estimates, another 2 million people have been displaced within Ukraine.

"Millions forced to flee their homes by this senseless war," he noted.

On February 24, Russian President Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops simultaneously crossed Ukrainian borders from the north, east, and south (Crimea). They have been destroying cities, killing civilians, shelling key infrastructure and households.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.