"About 25,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Spain since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, but only 9,000 have registered with the relevant services," Spanish Social Security and Migration Minister Jose Escriva said today. BTA.

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 3.5 million Ukrainians have fled the war so far, with more than 2 million going to neighboring Poland.

A large number of refugees have also been received in Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.

"In Spain, which is far from the conflict zone, many of the Ukrainians who arrived have stayed with relatives and friends and have not yet notified the authorities," Escriva said in an interview with Spanish public television Te Ve. He said that authorities have decided to grant a residence permit to all who lived on the territory of Ukraine at the time of the Russian invasion, not just Ukrainians.

Escriva expects that another 9,000 refugees will register with the Spanish authorities this week and receive temporary protection from the European Union, which will allow them to obtain work and residence permits.

Ukrainians are free to enter the European Union without the need for a visa, but must have a residence permit to stay.

The European Commission provides technical support to EU countries hosting refugees from Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine