Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Skip to main content

At the Ukraine border: Desperate flight of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion

Share

The stories are horrific and heartbreaking. Families are being fractured, as men of fighting age are required to stay within Ukraine’s borders, while their families get to safety.

Transport is chaotic, with a train trip that would normally take two hours now taking 30.

Desperate, Ukrainians and others are fleeing to neighbouring countries south and west of Ukraine. The majority are crossing into Poland, where shelters have been set up with food, cots and a chance to rest.

That’s where W5 spoke with Zoya, a grandmother who walked 15 kilometres in the cold to get to safety with her daughter and five-year-old granddaughter. As Zoya and the young girl played with a pink flamingo toy, she told W5 they were exhausted, but trying to stay positive.

Olga, who travelled only with her cat and one suitcase, told W5 that she had a lot of friends still left in Kyiv and didn’t know what would happen to them.

Racism is rearing its ugly head as some Black refugees report being blocked from boarding trains and being delayed at border crossings.

Stephanie, a medical student from Nigeria, was trying to get through the border with her brother. It took four days. Visible minorities, the majority of them students from African or South Asian countries studying in Ukraine, are just trying to return to their home countries. They keep warm around a small campfire while waiting for their chance to cross.

Once on the Polish side of the border there is some hope for refugees, with countries opening their doors. On Friday the Canadian government announced that an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees could come to Canada and stay for up to two years.

Others will be allowed to immigrate as permanent residents.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

A Montreal study found that many seniors are being overprescribed inappropriate medications.

A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.

Local Spotlight

James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn't buy.

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of a large blizzard that paralyzed Manitoba.

There was an eye-catching mix of rainbows and lightning over Vancouver following a brief downpour this week.

Jeff Warner from Aidie Creek Gardens in the northern Ontario community of Englehart has a passion for growing big pumpkins and his effort is paying off in more ways than one.

Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Have you ever seen videos of hovercrafts online or on TV and thought, 'Wow, I wish I could ride one of those.' One Alberta man did, and then built his own.

A B.C. couple is getting desperate – and creative – in their search for their missing dog.

Videos of a meteor streaking across the skies of southern Ontario have surfaced and small bits of the outer space rock may have made it to land, one astronomy professor says.

A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.