Russia-Ukraine war live: Russian-installed Kherson official dies in car crash, reports say; Crimea bridge ‘may not be repaired for a year’

With Russian forces continuing to target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, power grid and heating plants, eastern European countries are preparing for a new wave of Ukrainian refugees to come in with the winter months, Reuters is reporting.

There are 6.9 million people estimated to be displaced internally in Ukraine, and the countries bordering Ukraine are reopening reception centres and restocking food supplies in preparation for the possible inflow of hundreds of thousands of them in what is predicted to be a very cold and unmanageable winter.

“An increase in numbers is being felt, and is expected. It is currently up 15%,” Roman Dohovic, an aid coordinator for the eastern Slovak city of Košice, told Reuters.

“We are being called by people who are already staying in Košice and looking for accommodation for family members and acquaintances who are still in Ukraine.”

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reports that about 4.5 million Ukrainian refugees are registered under various protection schemes across Europe. After an initial increase after Russia’s invasion on 24 February, the number of refugees leaving Ukraine dropped in late spring, with some returning after their Ukrainian forces liberated their territories.

One of the the busiest gateways for refugees since the Russian invasion – the eastern Polish town of Przemyśl – has been largely quiet. Just a few dozen people are staying at the local reception centre, a fraction of the 4,000 there in the spring.

“We have to prepare for winter, we have long anticipated that it may be difficult and we must be ready for some new wave of refugees,” said Witold Wołczyk from Przemyśl city hall.