RIGA, March 24 (LETA) - Since the start of the war in Ukraine, 5,098 Ukrainian refugees have sought accommodation through municipal civil defense commissions.

Also, 6,359 Ukrainian civilians have been issued residence documents with rights for employment, according to the Interior Ministry's data.

In Riga, accommodation was necessary for 1,023 people.

Most of Ukrainian refugees and women and children. Many Ukrainians are staying with their relatives, friends or acquaintances.

Ukrainian residents who have biometric passports and do not need any social assistance, may stay in Latvia for 90 days without informing state institutions about it.

Interior Minister Marija Golubeva (For Development) said in a press conference on Wednesday that the exact number of refugees who have already arrived in Latvia is not clear, and the ministry is still working in a unified data base for the refugees. More accurate numbers will be clear in early April.

The Interior Ministry said earlier that some 10,000 Ukrainian war refugees might arrive in Latvia, but now it is clear that this number will be higher.