Evacuation from Kursk region to Ukraine not happening – Ukrainian MP Kostenko

This was confirmed by Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, and SBU Colonel, during an interview with Radio Svoboda.

The MP visited the Kursk region settlements under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He stated that the population in areas where there’s no active fighting continues their lives, though some might choose to leave independently.

"If an evacuation was underway, I’d know about it. But right now, no evacuation is happening. What I do know is that people are living there, and in those cities and towns in the rear of Ukrainian troops, where there’s no fighting, life goes on. Our commandant's office, led by General Eduard Moskalyov, maintains order and ensures normalcy. According to the Geneva Conventions, the occupying state is responsible for everything happening in occupied territories," Kostenko said.

He also noted that Russians living there can still move to Russian-controlled territory, as the front line isn't continuous.

The MP emphasized that it’s safe for civilians to remain in the parts of the Kursk region controlled by Ukrainian forces, where there’s no fighting or imminent threat.

• Ukraine's Ministry of Reintegration has set up a hotline for Kursk region residents wishing to evacuate to Ukraine.
• Currently, the Ministry, in cooperation with the military, is planning a possible humanitarian corridor from the Kursk region to Sumy.