Thousands of Ukrainians are returning to the war zone from Poland

Medyka Night has begun over Medyka, adding to the hustle and bustle of what is currently the busiest border town between Poland and Ukraine. The red taillights of dozens of waiting vehicles contrast with the glaring headlights that light up the crossing for cars. A few meters away, in a branch of the Biedronka supermarket chain, the Ukrainians stock up on the essentials before they wait to be transported to their place of escape – or return home.

There are two unequal streams that intersect at the border, with that of the refugees being significantly larger: almost 300,000 people fled to Poland before the war. And yet the local border guard also reports that around 22,000 people had left for Ukraine by Sunday.