Ukraine's Ombudsman urges IFRC to investigate society's activities in Russia

He reported the information on Telegram.

Recently, information surfaced online indicating that the president of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) has ties to a pro-Putin "patriotic" organization, and RRC staff members have expressed views against the possibility of peace with "Ukrainian Nazis," said the Ombudsman. Furthermore, the RRC is alleged to be involved in military training camps and exercises for children, where the ideology of perpetuating the conflict with Ukraine is propagated, accompanied by the use of symbols of Russian aggression such as "Z."

"It is likely that Russia aims to have new organizations of the RRC working in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, which will be funded from Russia. This proves once again that the occupiers are ready to use even the world-famous name of a humanitarian organization for their political and military purposes!" the Ombudsman emphasized.

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Mr. Lubinets sent a letter to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent with the following demands: 

1. Such actions were publicly condemned.
2. A transparent investigation into the actions of the Russian Red Cross was conducted. 
3. The membership and participation of the Russian Red Cross in the community was suspended for the duration of the investigation. 
4. If the investigation confirms the findings, it is necessary to demand that the organization be expelled from the federation. 

He reminded that the RRC is part of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, so it must comply with the mission and principles of the movement, in particular the principle of "neutrality." 

"Russia cannot speculate and use the name of a humanitarian organization for criminal intentions! I hope for an immediate public response from the IFRC!" the Ombudsman summarized.

• Pavlo Rozenko, Vice President of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, believes that the representatives of the Red Cross of Belarus involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children will be held accountable for their crimes.