MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) - Almost 200,000 refugees from Ukraine have been taken in by Russia, the country's Federal Migration Service (FMS) press service told RIA Novosti Saturday.
"222,800 people have applied for refugee status and temporary shelter. Refuge was granted to 193,800 Ukrainians," FMS spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Russia has praised Russian authorities for the excellent organization of taking in refugees from the south-east of Ukraine.
"Management of UNHCR commends the actions of the federal and regional authorities, aimed at the reception, accommodation and meeting the humanitarian needs of internally displaced people," a letter of the UNHCR representative in Russia Baisa Vak-Voya to the head of Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS) Konstantin Romodanovsky said.
The letter also marked well-organized and efficient work of the Russian Migration Service. Vak-Voya expressed hope for further cooperation and confirmed the readiness for further support and assistance to Russia's FMS.
The influx of refugees from the south-east of Ukraine has increased dramatically since June amid tensions between independence supporters and Kiev authorities.
