Millions rushed to leave Ukraine. Now the queue to return home stretches for miles

Ukrainians wait in a miles-long jam full of trucks, buses and cars to cross to the border at Medyka, Poland. (Adam Lach for NPR)

Medyka, Poland is a quiet and idyllic farming village near the southeastern border with Ukraine.

But in recent months, it has become the busiest border crossing for Ukrainian refugees since the war with Russia began in late February.

In February and March, refugees waited for hours or days there to cross into Poland. Now, the flow has reversed. The long lines are on the Polish side of the border filled with people waiting to cross into Ukraine.