Ukraine's Foreign Ministry requests UN, Red Cross aid in Kursk region, Kremlin responds

This was announced through a statement on the Ministry’s official website.

The Ministry highlighted that Ukraine is adhering to its international obligations, particularly in international humanitarian law, to protect civilians during the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region of Russia.

"From the very start of the Kursk operation, Ukraine’s Defense Forces, as a professional European army, have strictly followed international humanitarian law. Civilians in the Kursk region have been receiving humanitarian aid, essential supplies, and the option to leave conflict zones," the Ministry emphasized.

Given the humanitarian crisis and the need to protect basic human rights in the Kursk region, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has formally asked the UN to assist in the humanitarian efforts there, submitting an official note to that effect.

Additionally, the Ministry reached out to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the global authority on humanitarian law, asking them to participate in the relief operations and monitor compliance with international humanitarian law under the 1949 Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilians.

"Ukraine reaffirms its full commitment to international obligations and stands ready to fully support the efforts of UN and ICRC staff in these areas," the Ministry added.

The Kremlin's reaction and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's response

Meanwhile, the Russian leader's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, called Ukraine's call on UN and ICRC representatives to visit the territories of the Kursk region, which are now controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a provocation. 

“We expect that such provocative statements will not be perceived by the recipients. This is a pure kind of provocation,” Peskov said.

In response, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi remarked that such a statement from the Russian authorities “shows Russia’s disregard for its own people .”

“The Kremlin’s reaction to Ukraine’s offer for the UN and ICRC to join humanitarian efforts in the Kursk region shows Russia’s disregard for its own people and their humanitarian needs, as well as fear of allowing international observers to see the real situation. Quite telling.,” he wrote on X.

• Earlier, on September 1, Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that residents of Russia's Kursk region have been telling Ukrainian forces that Russia is refusing to provide civilians with an evacuation corridor.