RIGA, March 7 (LETA) - Daugavpils on March 4 received the first 56 Ukrainian war refugees - children, youth and their mothers from Kyiv and Lucka in Ukraine, LETA learned from the local council.

Daugavpils local council sent a bus to the Ukrainian-Polish border to help Ukrainian refugees arrive in Latvia. "Another nine Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Latvia and asked for asylum have been accommodated in Daugavpils," the council said.

As the majority of the young people are hockey players, the Latvian Ice-Hockey Federation turned to Daugavpils city council to admit the refugees, and the council organized the transport for the children and their mothers.

They have been accommodated at the hostel of the Medical College. Catering is being provided and in time the refugees will have the opportunity to make their own meals. Children will be integrated in schools and will be able to continue hockey trainings.

In cooperation with the city's social services, the Custody Court and the Latvian Red Cross, the essential and hygiene goods have been provided to them. 

Daugavpils municipality is ready to admit about 200 refugees from Ukraine.

As reported, on February 24, Russia unleashed a war in Ukraine, targeting not only military, but also residential areas, Belarusian army entered the territory of Ukraine on March 1, forcing more than a million civilians to flee their home and country. Several thousands have already arrived in Latvia.