The US State Department on Tuesday warned US citizens of the potential violence in Ukraine which was hit by an election crisis.

"The American embassy in Kiev urges American citizens resident in Ukraine to continue to remain alert to the possibility of election-related rallies, demonstrations, and disturbances in the aftermath of the invalidated November 21 presidential election results," the State Department said in a warning.

"The department reminds American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence," the warning said.

"The presence of police combined with expectations of counterdemonstrations make the potential for localized disorder a possibility," it added.

Ukraine has been in a political crisis since the Nov. 21 presidential election, victory in which has been claimed by both pro-Moscow candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, and pro-Western candidate, opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine's highest court has ordered to have a new runoff vote on Dec. 26.

Source: Xinhua