‘This is my country’: As Ukrainians flee Russian invasion, some return home to fight. As cars and buses packed with refugees crossed the Ukrainian border into southeast Poland, Vasil Maksumovich was going the other way.

Lugging a travel bag, he made his way on foot toward the Medyka border post. After depositing his wife and two kids with an aunt in Germany, he was returning to Ukraine to fight.

“This is my country,” said the 24-year-old, who works in the transport business. “War is difficult, but this is my country. I must come back.”

The Russian invasion has already driven more than a half-million refugees into neighbouring countries like Poland, but a steady stream of Ukrainians are also heading home.

While the line of vehicles waiting to enter Poland through the Medyka crossing was backed up for several kilometres, the numbers entering Ukraine on Tuesday appeared at times to outpace those fleeing.

Such brave people as families flee to keep their culture alive. Some Ukrainians return to save the land and fight against Russia. It is amazing how people show bravery for their home. Couples return together to help fight. Some return to be with family. These are people standing up to a bully and that bully is Vladimir Putin. He isn't fighting. He isn't out there shooting or risking his life. His men and the Ukrainians are risking their lives.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is out there with Ukrainians soldiers. Fighting. Defending. Saving what he can and trying to stop this invasion. He is a man trying everything to save his people and country.