Alina Smychanka (right) with her daughter Liza and Ira Tichonienka (second from right) with her son Anton found their Polish hosts in Kraków, Poland. Krzysztof Lis took them in and installed large garden tent in his living room, to make sure the families have some privacy. Mar 17, 2022.
More than 3 million people have crossed into Poland since Russia's invasion on February 24 - creating one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Some only stay a few days and then move to other EU countries, while others stay close to Ukraine hoping they soon will be able to go home. During the first weeks of Russian aggression, most refugees from Ukraine found shelter in Polish homes: spare rooms, guest houses, even basements are provided by huge numbers of ordinary Polish people in an astonishing bottom-up outpouring of support. There are worries, however, over how long the hospitality will endure if the war continues and millions of terrified people won't be able to return to Ukraine.
Irina and Lev at breakfast. Ivan Kokitno, Irina Zinchenko and their 3-year old son Lev are staying with Szczepan Żurek, high school teacher, in Warsaw, Poland. The family escaped Mariupol with four cats before the siege started and arrived in Warsaw four days later. Mar 15, 2022.
Danylo in Bartłomiej Kosiba's apartment in Kraków, Poland, on Mar 14, 2022.
Ivan and Lev reading about birds. Ivan Kokitno, Irina Zinchenko and their 3-year old son Lev are staying with Szczepan Żurek, high school teacher, in Warsaw, Poland. The family escaped Mariupol with four cats before the siege started and arrived in Warsaw four days later. Mar 15, 2022.
Ivan Kokitno, Irina Zinchenko and their 3-year old son Lev are staying with Szczepan Żurek, high school teacher, in Warsaw, Poland. The family escaped Mariupol with four cats before the siege started and arrived in Warsaw four days later. Mar 15, 2022.
Ivan Kokitno, Irina Zinchenko and their 3-year old son Lev are staying with Szczepan Żurek, high school teacher, in Warsaw, Poland. The family escaped Mariupol with four cats before the siege started and arrived in Warsaw four days later. Mar 15, 2022.
Alina Smychanka with her daughter Liza (left)and Ira Tichonienka with her son Anton (right) found their Polish hosts in Kraków, Poland. Krzysztof Lis took them in and installed large garden tent in his living room, to make sure the families have some privacy. Mar 17, 2022.