Since the start of climbing the armed conflict in 2022, the ICRC has played a role of neutral intermediary between the parties to the conflict to facilitate evacuations, repatriations and secure passages for civilians. Among the beneficiaries are children separated from their families when moving the front lines, the elderly suffering from illnesses and unable to move alone, as well as people wishing to join their loved ones in other regions, but blocked by hostilities.
Thanks to these secure passage operations, More than 500 vulnerable people have so far been assisted in their trips through the front lines and the bordersin both directions. Since the start of 2025, around 140 people have benefited from a secure passage to Russia or Ukraine.
The clashes that have occurred in the Koursk region since the summer of 2024 have forced many people to be evacuated to Soumy, Ukraine. In response to the wishes expressed by some of them, we have facilitated their return to Russia through several operations passing through Belarus, following negotiations and agreements with the authorities concerned. To date, several dozen people have been repatriated. These operations require close coordination between the parties to the conflict, the CICR teams in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, as well as with our partners in the Russian Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross.
In 2022, the ICRC had already facilitated and accompanied the evacuation of several thousand civilians from the active fighting areas in Marioupol and Soumy. These vital operations, both complex and sensitive, were made possible thanks to preliminary agreements and close coordination with the parties concerned, guaranteeing the safety of ICRC staff such as that of civilians crossing front lines or the neighboring areas.
These actions illustrate the importance of the role of the ICRC as a neutral intermediary. Present on both sides of the front line, our teams collaborate with all the competent authorities in Russia as in Ukraine. They also put their expertise at the service of the authorities to organize safe, worthy and structured passages for civilians.
The ICRC remains determined to continue its support for this type of humanitarian operations, in compliance with the agreements concluded between the parties.
All these operations are carrying hope in time of conflict and allow people to find their loved ones or to join the premises where they feel safe. They recall that civilians should not be the main victims of hostilities and must be treated with humanity and dignity.
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