10,000 people displaced in Ukraine since start of crisis: UN

Locals, look at damage caused to houses suffered after a shell explosions during the fighting between pro-Russian militants and the Ukrainian army in Slaviansk, Ukraine on May 20, 2014. At least 10,000 people have been driven from their homes si
Locals, look at damage caused to houses suffered after a shell explosions during the fighting between pro-Russian militants and the Ukrainian army in Slaviansk, Ukraine on May 20, 2014. At least 10,000 people have been driven from their homes since the start of the Ukraine crisis, with Crimean Tatars the hardest-hit community, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. -- PHOTO: EPA

GENEVA (AFP) - At least 10,000 people have been driven from their homes since the start of the Ukraine crisis, with Crimean Tatars the hardest-hit community, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday.

"Displacement in Ukraine started before the March referendum in Crimea and has been rising gradually since," the UNHCR said.

"Most of those displaced are ethnic Tatars, although local authorities have also reported a recent rise in registrations of ethnic Ukrainians, Russians and mixed families," it added.

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