Moldova welcomes fleeing Ukrainians - in pictures

  • Refugees crossing into Moldova from southern Ukraine. All photos: Erin Clare Brown / The National
    Refugees crossing into Moldova from southern Ukraine. All photos: Erin Clare Brown / The National
  • Tatiana and her son wait for a van to drive from the Moldovan border towards Chisinau.
    Tatiana and her son wait for a van to drive from the Moldovan border towards Chisinau.
  • Angelina, 3, and Arina, 5, crossed the border to safety in Moldova with their mother.
    Angelina, 3, and Arina, 5, crossed the border to safety in Moldova with their mother.
  • Natasha, 25, waits on the Moldovan side of the border to ensure her boyfriend, who is French, is allowed to cross.
    Natasha, 25, waits on the Moldovan side of the border to ensure her boyfriend, who is French, is allowed to cross.
  • Mothers with their children at the Palanca border crossing into Moldova.
    Mothers with their children at the Palanca border crossing into Moldova.
  • Refugees crossing the Moldovan border are taken to transit points for onward journeys to Chisinau or points further west in Europe.
    Refugees crossing the Moldovan border are taken to transit points for onward journeys to Chisinau or points further west in Europe.
  • Refugees board buses towards Chisinau after crossing into Moldova.
    Refugees board buses towards Chisinau after crossing into Moldova.
  • Officers from the Moldovan Ministry of the Interior prepare meals for those at the Palanca refugee camp.
    Officers from the Moldovan Ministry of the Interior prepare meals for those at the Palanca refugee camp.
  • Each night the Palanca refugee camp feeds up to 300 people who arrive with no onward plans when they reach Moldova.
    Each night the Palanca refugee camp feeds up to 300 people who arrive with no onward plans when they reach Moldova.
  • Lena, who had never left Ukraine before fleeing into Moldova, feeds three-year-old Dasha at a rest point for refugees just over the border.
    Lena, who had never left Ukraine before fleeing into Moldova, feeds three-year-old Dasha at a rest point for refugees just over the border.
  • Immigration officers set up the Palanca refugee camp in just seven hours after the war started on February 24.
    Immigration officers set up the Palanca refugee camp in just seven hours after the war started on February 24.
  • About 220,000 people have already fled Ukraine across its frontier with Moldova.
    About 220,000 people have already fled Ukraine across its frontier with Moldova.
  • Many families put signs in their rear windscreens reading 'CHILDREN' to protect themselves from attack.
    Many families put signs in their rear windscreens reading 'CHILDREN' to protect themselves from attack.
  • Inside a tent set up to receive refugees in Moldova.
    Inside a tent set up to receive refugees in Moldova.
  • Nadia and Ivan on their way to the border.
    Nadia and Ivan on their way to the border.
  • The Moldexpo centre, which served as Moldova's Covid-19 hospital, was transformed into a refugee center in six hours on the first day of the war.
    The Moldexpo centre, which served as Moldova's Covid-19 hospital, was transformed into a refugee center in six hours on the first day of the war.