According to the UN, two million people have fled the war in Ukraine. The vast majority are women and children. One of them is Ludmilla Beshnejeva (28) who was able to cross the Polish border after five days of fleeing Odessa with her three children.

When Russian soldiers began to march into the Black Sea city, she realized she had to get away. The fastest way to get to safety was by train to the city of Lviv in the far west. Here, she and her three children – three-month-old Victoria and five-year-old twins Nastia and Konstantin – spent a night with friends.

They waited to cross the border until the situation had calmed down a bit. She followed the news from day to day, and was afraid that they might be stuck waiting at the border in freezing temperatures.

Cold and disoriented

On Thursday, a week after the Russian invasion, she decided to take a chance. An acquaintance drove them closer to the border. Shortly afterwards, they found a bus that was transporting families across to Poland. They got on it and left their old lives behind. After two hours, in an icy bus, they arrived in the border town of Przemysl. Ludmilla was disoriented and the children were cold and hungry. Fortunately, they found the tent that Caritas Poland has set up a shelter that functions as a reception center. There they were given a little respite and some warmth. Volunteers made sure they got something warm to eat and drink.

Then, an overnight stay was organized at a local school. Ludmilla and the children were transported there by a minibus that shuttles between the reception center and local accommodations. After five days of travel, they were finally able to sleep safely and soundly.