Thousands of people are trying to leave eastern Ukraine ahead of an expected Russian offensive in the region. More than 10 million people are already thought to have fled their homes in Ukraine because of the invasion, according to the United Nations.

As well as the 4.3 million who have left for neighbouring countries, another 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.

Where are people fleeing inside Ukraine?

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has warned people in large parts of the east of the country to evacuate while still possible.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said people in the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions should try to leave now, or risk their life.

The UN’s 10 million figure is based on research carried out by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) between 9 and 16 March.

Of the 2,000 internally displaced people it surveyed:

• Nearly 30% had come from Kyiv.
• More than 36% had fled from the east of Ukraine.
• 20% come from the North Ukraine.
• Nearly 40% were now in the west of Ukraine.
• Less than 3% in Kyiv and only 5% had left their homes in anticipation of the invasion, with the vast majority fleeing either at the start of the war or when it reached their area

The IOM estimates that more than half of the people who are internally displaced are women, and many are deemed particularly vulnerable because they are pregnant, have a disability or are a victim of violence.