Stranded and desperate, Ukrainian refugees wait for the Home Office reply. But it never comes

Evacuees queue for hours but still can't get past bureaucratic chaos - and flights to Britain leave with empty seats

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Inside the cavernous confines of the airport in Iai, Romania, volunteers were offering food, drink and translation services to the continuous influx of Ukrainians fleeing war.

Those arriving knew that bagging a place on a flight required patience, tenacity and no little luck. Routes to Italy, Austria, Poland and Ireland were all fully booked. Yet one destination stood out.