Amidst a wave of support from countries around the world in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians are fleeing the approaching war and taking only essential supplies with them, such as ID documents, other relevant papers and cash.
Images from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on 24 February showed people queueing for ATMs alongside crowded transport stations and packed roads as Russia invaded. The National Bank of Ukraine temporarily limited withdrawals to 100,000 hryvnia per day (around $3,340 or €2,970) to ensure banknotes were available to as many people as possible.
The following day, Russia’s central bank announced it was increasing the supply of cash to ATMs in an attempt to maintain financial stability. By 28 February, there was a run on cash machines across the country as Russians anticipated cash shortages and disruption of payment systems. Business Insider reported many people were hoping to withdraw US dollar bills as the Russian rouble plunged in value to a record low following economic measures taken by the European Commission, Canada and the United States.
Concerning Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to President Putin to stop the military operation and return his troops to Russia in a statement issued 24 February.
