Around 19,000 Ukrainian refugees flee to Russia

Nearly 19,000 refugees have fled Ukraine for Russia, the government said Thursday citing latest statistics.

According to official latest statistics given by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the number of reported refugees from Ukraine has exceeded 18,900, Xinhua reported.

"They are staying in southern, central, north-western federal districts, the city of Sevastopol and Crimea," Xinhua quoted spokesperson of the ministry as saying, adding "as many as 8,800 people, including more than 4,500 children, are staying at temporary centres".

The refugees might be allowed to stay in Russia for one year, " with a possible extension" as long as they get permanent residence permits, said Russian presidential administration chief Sergei Ivanov while visiting the refugee settlements in Russia's southern Rostov region Thursday.

Russia has reiterated that a humanitarian catastrophe is haunting Ukraine amid the spiking conflicts between insurgents and government troops, while Kiev has accused Moscow of inciting unrest in its southeastern regions.