People of colour fleeing Ukraine attacked by Polish nationalists

Women from South Africa and Zambia, who were studying medicine in Kyiv, at Medyka border crossing in Poland. Many students from African countries fleeing Ukraine have been denied the right to cross to safety. Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian

Police in Poland have warned that fake reports of violent crimes being committed by people fleeing Ukraine are circulating on social media after Polish nationalists attacked and abused groups of African, south Asian and Middle Eastern people who had crossed the border last night.

Attackers dressed in black sought out groups of non-white refugees, mainly students who had just arrived in Poland at Przemyśl train station from cities in Ukraine after the Russian invasion. According to the police, three Indians were beaten up by a group of five men, leaving one of them hospitalised.