The first group of Ukrainian refugees who came to Medjugorje immediately upon Russia's invasion of their country, had to leave the town after spending 30 days there because Bosnia and Herzegovina did not amend its regulations regarding temporary residency.

According to the president of the tourism association from Medjugorje Davor Ljubic, 21 women and children have left Medjugorje and are on their way to Poland.

One month ago the association invited Ukrainian refugees to Medjugorje where they found accommodation and about 300 have arrived in the meantime.

Ljubić said that the Ukrainians are disappointed because they were hoping to stay until the war in their country ceased.

Twenty days ago, Minister of Civilian Affairs Ankica Gudeljevic applied to BiH's Ministry of Security for amendments to the law to be adopted, similar to the European Union, and to allow this exception so the Ukrainian refugees could remain in the country for more than a month.

However, a decision has still not been adopted and refugees who entered the country as tourists were forced to leave as their stay was restricted to 30 days.

Ljubić said on Thursday that a busload of Ukrainians would be leaving Medjugorje on Friday.

Some of them plan to stay in Dubrovnik while others will return to border regions in Ukraine along the border with Poland that have not yet been caught up in war.

He added that three Ukrainian families have applied for asylum in BiH.