Ukraine Families Say Goodbye As Men Stay To Fight: Photos

As Russian missiles hit their towns and tanks roll through their streets, many Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homeland.

In an exodus that is unparalleled in recent European history, more than 1.2 million Ukrainians have sought sanctuary in countries since the Russian invasion began last week, UN High Commissioner of Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday.

But many others have stayed to fight.

Ukraine’s government has enacted martial law and required men ages 18 to 60 to remain in the country in order to defend it against the Russian attack.

That has led to heartbreaking scenes at train and bus stations across the country as children say goodbye to their fathers and wives bid farewell to their husbands.