Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in the east.
MEDICA, Poland: Ukrainians fleeing the Russian offensive began to break into Poland, with dozens of people arriving at the normally quiet Medika crossing on Thursday, some carrying luggage and with children.
Officials in EU countries bordering Ukraine, including Romania and Slovakia, said there was no major influx of refugees yet, but local media and eyewitnesses said foot traffic was increasing.
Alexander Bazanov fled their home in eastern Ukraine with his wife and young child, taking only what they could carry and headed into Poland for the last part of his journey.
The 34-year-old technical manager from Mariupol, 113 km (70 mi) from Donetsk, decided to cross into Poland when he learned that the war had started with an ally.
"I have no feeling other than that I am very scared," said Bazanov, crossing the border on foot about 400 km from Warsaw. "I will visit my father in Spain but I have no money and I don't know how to do it."
Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation in the past.
The Central European nation, which shares a border with Ukraine, has prepared for weeks a potential influx of refugees seeking sanctuary within the EU.
The Medica crossing is used extensively by people traveling across the border to shop or travel for work.
The lines to enter the Polish border town grew early in the morning. Some said they feared Russia could go too far in Ukraine.
"Everyone thought western Ukraine was safe because it was closer to the EU and NATO countries," said 44-year-old Maria Palais. "It doesn't seem like it's perfect protection."
Russia has called for an end to NATO's eastern expansion, and Putin reiterated his position that the U.S. Ukrainian membership of a military coalition led by the U.S. would be unacceptable.
Putin said he had authorized military action because Russia was left with no choice but to defend itself against threats from modern-day Ukraine, a democratic state of 44 million people.
News of the invasion prompted Olga Pavlui and her boyfriend Bohdan Begi to flee to the border, leaving their dog at home in their hometown in western Ukraine. There is no destination in their mind. "Anywhere safe would be fine," she told Reuters.