Wednesday, 24 August, marks Independence Day for Ukraine, which has been struggling against Russian aggression for 182 days. Russian troops launched their assault on 24 February. Among the countries that have provided the most assistance to the invaded Ukraine is Poland.

According to the Border Guard, 5 million 729 thousand refugees have arrived in Poland from Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. In turn, a total of 3 million 889 thousand people have left Poland for Ukraine since 24 February.

Since the first days of the war, Poles have rushed spontaneously and altruistically to help Ukrainians fleeing the war. According to a July report by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), Poles spent at least PLN 5.5 billion on aid, and the most likely actual figure is between PLN 9 and 10 billion.

In addition to the spontaneous support offered by Poles, Ukrainians can also count on help from the Polish state. According to the PIE report, the estimated value of the total annual expenditure of the public authorities to assist refugees is PLN 15.9 billion.

War refugees can apply for a PESEL number, which entitles them to health, social and family benefits. The PESEL number also enables them to take up employment or start a business.

Convoys of humanitarian aid are setting off from Poland to Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the conflict, the National Treasury Administration has been clearing humanitarian aid shipments on a priority basis for those in need in the invaded country. To date, more than 29,119 such transports have been cleared.

Poland is one of the largest Western suppliers of armaments to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The value of military equipment transferred is more than PLN 7 billion.

The Polish authorities have also become involved in the construction of shelters for people made homeless by the war. Modular towns, built and equipped thanks to Polish funds, have been launched in Lviv, Bucha and Irpin, and other places.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński