Russian invasion of Ukraine: UK and EU refugee responses

Summary:

Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. In the weeks since, more than 2 million people have fled the country – this number continues to increase. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has described it as the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. What have the refugee responses been so far in the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU)?

This explainer looks at what is happening on the ground, how the EU and its member states have responded, how the UK has responded and whether Brexit has impacted the UK’s action.