The Associated Press is reporting that the UN refugee agency has released new information on how many people have fled Ukraine. By Wednesday the United Nations estimated more than 1 million were part of the refugee exodus trying to escape Russia’s invasion.

Russian forces continued their attack on Ukraine’s second-biggest city, Kharkiv, and reports indicate they have now laid siege to two strategic seaports.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, announced yesterday new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.

These new measures impose restrictions on 10 key individuals from 2 important companies in Russia’s energy sector, Rosneft and Gazprom. These measures are intended to put further pressure on Russia’s leadership to cease its violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

She says Canada is taking these actions alongside its international partners and allies and in solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine.

The World Health Organization says UNHCR estimates that over 4 million people could flee from Ukraine and seek protection and support.

The Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), including World Health Organization (WHO), aim to assist 2.4 million refugees and asylum-seekers in neighbouring countries.

WHO says it is establishing a logistics emergency center in Poland to deploy critical essential medical supplies, including trauma kits, life-saving medicines, laboratory supplies and other critical items through ground transportation into Ukraine, and to neighbouring countries.