Mari Saito and Marek Strzelecki

PRZEMYSL in Poland (Reuters) – Ukraine’s neighboring countries reported a decline in refugee numbers on Saturday. Governments and volunteers tried to shelter the almost 2.6 million people who fled Russia since Russia invaded two weeks back.

As the influx continues, arrivals are still increasing. This is despite the overwhelming presence of non-governmental and government organisations in Eastern Europe’s border towns as well the large cities from which the majority of the refugees have fled.

According to the Polish Border Guard, 76.200 migrants arrived in Poland on Friday. This is a drop by 12% over the previous day. Slovak police also reported similar numbers dropping to 9,581 and arriving in Romania decreased by 22% to 16,348, respectively.

On Saturday, fighting erupted in the northwest of Kyiv. Many cities in Ukraine were also surrounded. Officials in Ukraine said that attempted evacuations were threatened by Russian bombardments or threats of air strikes.

Przemysl (a Polish municipality of 60,000 residents near the Medyka crossing) said that arrivals have fallen to about 18,000 in the last day, from 23,000 one day earlier and peaking at more than 50,000.

Wojciech Bakun stated that he needs support in order to provide accommodation for between 2,000 and 3,000 persons in Przemysl.

I have buildings, but the need to fix them up. It would cost between 10-20mzl ($2.28-4.57m). He said that he couldn’t pay for this through the municipal budget because of other priorities. However, he could get funds from either the European Union or the government.

Veronika Zhushman (32), was traveling with her daughter Veronika, 6 years old, and mother from Vasylkiv, in the Kyiv Region. She had previously slept in a gym at the high school.

A mobile alert from another refugee about a bombing awakened her early Saturday morning.

“I haven’t slept well since the beginning of the invasion … after the alarm went off I felt worried all over again,” she said.

UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) reported Friday that almost 2.6 million had fled Ukraine, with 1.6 million heading to Poland.

They sought out cities where there were established Ukrainian communities, and greater chances to find employment.

According to Friday’s statement by the mayor of Warsaw, more than 10% of refugees are now living in the capital, which was home to 1.8 million people before the Russian invasion.

Bozena Szymanowska stated that Ukrainians have remained away from the Olsztyn city in northern Poland, which is just south the Russian enclave at Kaliningrad.

“I’m a lovely person, and I can comfortably take 10 people. Nobody wants to move to Olsztyn. It isn’t far from the Russian border that they don’t wish to live near them.

WARNINGS SCAMS

Hungary received more than 230,000 refugees so far. There were 10,530 new arrivals Friday. Romania has reported receiving 380,866 refugees, which includes 16,348 Friday.

According to Slovakia, 185,660 people arrived, while most of them continued their journey west. Many refugees travel west to reach the Czech Republic. Officials estimated Friday that there were approximately 200,000 people living in the Czech Republic.

Czech police advised people against falling for scammers who claim to be helping with visa processing, money transfer or personal data. These individuals could then use that information to steal and launder money. The police also warned about scammers offering help with visa processing and other assistance for money, as well as taking personal data that could be used to steal or launder money.

Russia refers to its actions against Ukraine as a “special military operation” in order to disarm and free its “neo Nazi leaders. Kyiv and Western allies claim that this is a pretext to invade a nation of 44 million.

($1 = 4.3794 zlotys)