Ukraine urges UN and Red Cross to support humanitarian aid efforts in Kursk region

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, urging them to join in the humanitarian efforts in the Russian Federation's Kursk region, which is currently under the control of Ukraine's armed forces.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated this.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Ukraine is fully committed to upholding its international obligations in the realm of international humanitarian law, especially when it comes to safeguarding the civilian population during hostilities in the Kursk region.

"From the first days of the Kursk operation, the Defense Forces of Ukraine, as a civilized European army, demonstrated high professionalism and full compliance with the principles of international humanitarian law. Civilians in the Kursk region received and are receiving humanitarian aid, satisfaction of basic humanitarian needs, and the opportunity to leave the areas of hostilities. Considering the attention to the humanitarian situation and the need to properly ensure fundamental human rights in the territory of the Kursk region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine appealed to the United Nations to join the humanitarian response measures in the specified territory and sent a corresponding note to the UN," the statement reads.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of a request to join in on humanitarian response efforts and oversee adherence to the principles of international humanitarian law, as stated in the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Populations during Times of War. The ICRC serves as the guarantor of these laws.

"Ukraine confirms its unwavering compliance with its international obligations in the mentioned areas and is ready to provide comprehensive support to the activities of UN and ICRC staff in the specified territories," the foreign policy department assured.

It is worth mentioning that in the Kursk region's areas under Ukraine's control, Ukraine has established a military command center led by Major General Eduard Moskaliov. Additionally, Ukraine has implemented a hotline for Kursk region residents who wish to evacuate and is currently exploring creating a humanitarian passage to Sumy.

The Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, also stated that if necessary, Ukraine is prepared to offer education to children residing in the Kursk region, as the country abides by international laws. Deputy Minister Mykhailo Vynnytsky added that while Ukraine is willing to provide education for children from the Kursk region, it has no intention of relocating them.

For reference:

The offensive operation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation began on August 6, 2024.

The Ukrainian operation continues in the Kursk region. On September 13, Ukrainian troops advanced in the Glushkovsky district.

At the same time, the ISW assumes that the Russians intend to cut off the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region before a coordinated operation to dislodge the Defense Forces.

The head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that the Russians had started counteroffensive actions in the Kursk region, part of which is held by the Ukrainian military.

As of August 27, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that since the beginning of the operation in the Kursk region of Russia, Ukraine has captured 594 enemy soldiers and controls more than 100 settlements, or 1,294 square kilometers. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, such actions are aimed at creating a buffer zone to stand in the way of Russian military operations against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would keep Russian territory, as this was an integral part of the plan to win the war.