Russia claims it has taken in 40,000 eastern Ukrainian refugees

Russia says it has taken in tens of thousands of people fleeing the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

According to state news agency Tass, Civil Defence Minister Alexander Chupriyan said 40,000 refugees had arrived in Russia's southern Rostov region and were being accommodated in 92 emergency shelters.

The news comes two days after Russia-back separatist leaders called for residents of the Donbass region to flee, justifying the appeal with the threat of an attack by Ukrainian government troops.

Ukrainian government representatives and the military have repeatedly stressed that they are not planning an offensive against the region.