UN says 9.8 million Ukrainians displaced by war with those fleeing in last week 'more traumatised'

At least 6.48 million people are displaced within Ukraine, while 3.27 million refugees have already fled the country.

Helena and her brother Bodia from Lviv are seen at the Medyka pedestrian border crossing, in eastern Poland on 26 February. Credit: Getty Images

Refugees now fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine are "more traumatised" than those who escaped in the first phase of the war, the UN said.

While those who made an early decision to leave were often those with contacts outside the country, a plan in mind and a place to stay, those fleeing Ukraine now are more likely to be lost as to what to do next, the UN refugee agency said.

UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh, in Rzeszow in Poland near the Ukrainian border, said those fleeing now were in greater need of assistance.

"That is certainly something that we've noticed in the last five to six days in Poland," he told reporters in Geneva via video-link.

"Those refugees who have been arriving have been more traumatised. They've been in shock, many of them. I think it's fair to say that they have fewer means than those who arrived in the earliest phase of this crisis."

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says 3.27 million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24.

The International Organisation for Migration said a further 6.48 million people are internally displaced in Ukraine, as of 16 March. The organisation also estimates more than 12 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks.

Polish border guards say two million have crossed west into their country.

"What we've noticed with many of them is they don't have a plan when they arrive," Saltmarsh said of recent arrivals.

"Many of those in the first phase might have had friends, diaspora networks, contacts and relatives to whom they could go and stay with intially, and then make a plan from there.

"That's been less the case recently, which means that those who arrived are not clear where they can go.

"That in turn has been putting more pressure on the Polish authorities, who have been reaching out to more municipalities and more regions to say 'can you step up and can you find accommodation and places for the new arrivals'."

Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi renewed his call for an end to the war.

"People continue to flee because they are afraid of bombs, airstrikes and indiscriminate destruction.

"Aid is vital but can’t stop fear. Only stopping the war can."