The United Nations (UN) estimated Tuesday that 12 million people will need help in Ukraine, in a statement, quoted by Agence France-Presse.

According to Lusa, in addition to these 12 million people, the UN also pointed out that more than four million refugees fleeing the fighting will also need support.

In less than a week since the invasion began, more than 660,000 people have fled Ukraine and taken refuge in neighboring countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Russia on Thursday dawn launched a military offensive in Ukraine, with ground forces and shelling of targets in several cities, which has killed more than 350 civilians, including children, according to Kiev. The UN reported more than 100,000 displaced persons and more than 660,000 refugees in Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the "special military operation" in Ukraine is aimed at demilitarizing the neighboring country and that it was the only way for Russia to defend itself, with the Kremlin specifying that the offensive will last as long as necessary.

The attack was condemned by the international community at large, and the European Union and the United States, among others, responded by sending arms and ammunition to Ukraine and strengthening sanctions to further isolate Moscow.