Population in Krakow grew by 20 percent due to the war in Ukraine

(Patria) - European countries have shown great solidarity with Ukraine since the beginning of Russian aggression.

More than eight million refugees have fled the war, mostly to neighboring countries. In Poland, there are currently 1.5 million. Among Polish cities that have taken in the most Ukrainians is Krakow.

The former royal city opened its doors to thousands of refugees. Dima fled Ukraine at the age of 16. He told us that he lived with his family near the Belarusian border, reports HRT.

- I want more perspective for my life and my family. My city has been attacked several times since the beginning of the war. Here we are collecting donations for ambulances in Ukraine - says Dima, a refugee from Ukraine.

In February 2022, Ukrainians arrived en masse by train at Krakow station. There are different figures, but it is estimated that the city took in about 150,000 Ukrainians.

Due to the war in Ukraine, the population in Krakow has grown by 20 percent in the last two and a half years, and Ukrainian shops and restaurants have sprung up on Krakow's streets.

One such establishment is located in the very center of the city. Girls and young men from Kyiv started a new life there. They say they follow news from the front line every day.

- I hope the war ends soon because what is happening to us is very sad, especially for our fighters. I hope for our victory, as does the rest of the country - says Olena Havriljuk from Kyiv.

- Because of the war, we first moved to my grandfather's village, but I couldn't study there. So my parents, even though I was only 17, allowed me to come to Poland alone. I don't go home at all because I am very afraid to travel there - says Viktorija Kravčenko from Kyiv.

Foundations and associations have played a major role in the integration of refugees. From the beginning of the war until today, needs have changed.

- At the beginning of the Russian invasion, the main demands were accommodation and food. Of course, we still have many who belong to vulnerable groups. After accommodation, we helped them with employment or starting their own businesses here in Krakow - says Ivan Kysloshchuk, coordinator at the Poland-Ukraine Institute.

According to UN data, the Ukrainian population has decreased by 25 percent from 2022 to today. The reasons are millions of refugees, a decline in the birth rate, and casualties on the battlefield and in cities and villages across Ukraine.