The refugee crisis of 2022 and its impact on the transformation of the images of Ukraine and Ukrainians in Bulgaria

Abstract

Russia's war on Ukraine since February 24, 2022 has led to the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. More than 8 million people out of a population of 40 million have left the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the war. A multi-million flow of refugees covered all EU countries, including Bulgaria. Since February 2022, over half a million Ukrainian refugees have entered the territory of Bulgaria alone - some to stay in the country, others to go further. The Bulgarian government made efforts for their accommodation, which were supported by a number of international organizations. Bulgarian volunteers and ordinary citizens of the republic provide a great deal of help to the refugees, who help with transport, food, clothing and money. Since the Ukrainian government, in connection with the general mobilization, has banned the departure of men from Ukraine between the ages of 18 and 60, the majority of Ukrainian refugees are women and children. Ukrainian refugees received social and medical assistance, together with the right to work, to engage in entrepreneurship, attend training courses or a new profession. Children have access to school education. This article comments on some of the main specifics of the reception and stay of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria and the transformation of the views of Bulgarians themselves towards Ukraine and Ukrainians.

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