Ukraine has formally invited the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to observe and assist in areas of Russia’s Kursk region under Ukrainian control, following a surprise cross-border incursion launched early last month.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga made the announcement on Monday.
“I instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to officially invite the UN and ICRC to join humanitarian efforts in the Kursk region,” Sybiga said on social media, as cited by the Moscow Times.
“Ukraine is ready to facilitate their work and prove its adherence to international humanitarian law.”
Since the operation began on August 6, Ukrainian forces have seized parts of the Kursk region, with Kyiv portraying its actions as distinct from Russia’s occupation of eastern Ukraine, which Moscow claims to have annexed.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated that its military, described as a "civilized European army," has acted professionally and in full compliance with international humanitarian law since the operation began.
Moscow, however, has denounced the incursion, which led to the evacuation of over 150,000 Russian civilians from the region.
Red Cross President’s Visit to Moscow
The invitation comes as ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric visits Moscow for discussions, just days after three ICRC workers were killed in eastern Ukraine due to shelling.
Her visit is expected to address a range of humanitarian issues, including the situation in the newly contested areas.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported last week that its forces have been conducting a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, recapturing nearly a dozen towns.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Russia’s counteroffensive but maintained that Ukraine’s operations were still proceeding as planned.
