Ukrainian refugees will have the right to live and work in the European Union for up to three years in accordance with the emergency plan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported.

"Since Russia launched a brutal attack a week ago, almost 875,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine. The EU provides for granting Ukrainian citizens and residents of the country the right to live, work, receive medical care, housing and education immediately for up to one year without having to go through lengthy asylum procedures. If the conflict continues for a long time or the refugees cannot return safely, this status can be extended for another two years," the ministry said on its Facebook post on Thursday evening.

It is emphasized that more than half [454,000] went to Poland, 116,000 to Hungary, 67,000 to Slovakia, 45,000 to Romania and 79,000 to Moldova, which is not part of the EU. The information notes that refugees from Ukraine already have a 90-day visa-free access to the EU, but "this unprecedented change in EU law guarantees their status after this period."