Refugees in Poland were, until 2022, a relatively small group. Since 1989, the number of people applying for refugee status in Poland has risen from about 1,000 to 10,000 each year; about 1–2% of the applications were approved. The majority of applications were citizens of the former Soviet Union (in particular, Chechnya and Ukraine). Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, more than 7.2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine have been recorded across Europe, with the vast majority initially fleeing to the countries closest to its western border. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), almost 1.4 million people fled to neighboring Poland. History Following World War II, Poland became a communist country, and was a major refugee destination. The communist government allowed refugees only from countries affected by "class struggle" (such as Greece, Chile or Vietnam). It is estimated that the total number of refugees and asylum seekers who came to Poland in the period 1945–1989 was around 20,000–30,000 individuals. Following the fall of communism in 1989, Poland became a more appealing destination following its liberalization and a transition towards capitalistic and democratic society. UNHCR opened an office in Poland in 1992, following Poland's accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol. Among others, Poland became one of the destinations of refugees from former Soviet Union (in particular, Chechnya), Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. The number of refugees coming to Poland was still tiny compared to that coming to Western European countries; around 1,500 each year in the early 1990s. That number roughly doubled by late 1990s, and Polish government passed new laws as part of preparation for Poland's accession to the European Union. By early 2000s the number of people applying for refugee and asylum in Poland rose to 7,000. From 2010 the number has been oscillating at around 6–7,000 to 15,000: 10,000 in 2010 and 2012, 15,000 in 2013, 6,500 in 2014 and 12,000 in 2015. Only about 1–2% of the applications were approved. In 2012, refugee status was granted to 106, while 477 received complementary protection. In 2013, 208 people received the refugee status, and 550 or complementary protection or "tolerated stay" category. About 85% of the individuals who apply for refugee status or asylum leave Poland, traveling to Western Europe, before the Polish agency makes a ruling, leading to their request being cancelled. 2021–2022 Belarus–European Union border crisis The 2021–2022