MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The flow of refugees from Ukraine and Donbass crossing into Russia has doubled since the moment the evacuation was announced, Russia’s acting Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan has said.
"The influx of refugees from border territories has grown considerably. Before, up to 8,000 crossed the border a day. Now their number has grown to 15,000. The list of Russia’s regions accommodating refugees has grown. There are 34 of them now. All arrivals are granted all necessary assistance," Chupriyan is quoted by his press-service as saying following a conference in the Rostov Region, where he had arrived with a special task group.
By now, according the Emergencies Ministry a total of 380,000 evacuees, including 80,000 children have arrived in Russia. More than 15,000, including 5,000 have been moved to 20 regions by train. On the territory of Russia’s 34 regions 345 temporary accommodation centers currently house more than 21,000 people, including 9,000 children. In the Rostov Region alone accommodation centers house 6,000.
"By now more than 6,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, mostly food and essentials, has been delivered (to Ukraine and Donbass). Relief aid is pouring in from all regions of Russia," the Emergencies Ministry said.
A force of 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles are involved in the evacuation operation.
On February 18, the leaders of the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics, Leonid Pasechnik and Denis Pushilin, declared the beginning of evacuation of civilians to Russia, in particular, to the Rostov Region, in view of the growing risk of hostilities.