Estonians, Latvians, Poles and Georgians were all traveling to border crossings following an appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky.

He had called for Europeans with ‘combat experience’ to help in the bitter struggle against despot Vladimir Putin’s forces.

In a video he said: ‘If you have combat experience in Europe and do not want to look at the indecision of politicians, you can come to our country and join us in defending Europe, where it is necessary now.’

Among those responding at the Medyka border crossing was Jedrzej Bien, 42, from Braniewo, northern Poland, who made a 16 hour journey and was in a queue waiting to cross into Ukraine.

Dressed in army fatigues he had picked up from an army surplus store, he said: ‘I feel I have a sense of duty. I heard Zelensky asking for European help and now here I am.