Russia-Ukraine International Armed Conflict: Helping civilians cross frontlines and borders
Since the early stages of the escalation of the armed conflict in 2022, the ICRC has acted in its role as a neutral intermediary between the parties to facilitate evacuations, repatriations and safe passage for civilians. These include children who became separated from their families when the frontlines moved, elderly people suffering from illnesses who were not able to leave under their own power, and some people who simply wanted to rejoin their families in other areas but were unable to move due to hostilities.
As a result of these safe passage operations, to date, more than 500 vulnerable people have been assisted across borders and around frontlines in both directions. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, around 140 people have had safe passage to Russia or Ukraine.
As a result of fighting in the Kursk region since the summer of 2024, many people were evacuated to Sumy in Ukraine. Taking into account the wishes of people, we have facilitated their journey back to Russia through multiple operations via Belarus following negotiation and agreement between relevant authorities. To date, several dozen have returned. These repatriations require extensive coordination between the parties, ICRC teams in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, as well as with our partners from the Russian Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
In 2022, the ICRC also facilitated and accompanied the evacuation of several thousand civilians of all ages and abilities from active hostilities in Mariupol and Sumy. These complex and life-saving operations required an agreement and close coordination between the parties to provide the necessary security guarantees for both ICRC staff and the civilians to cross frontlines or areas close to them.
These operations illustrate the value of ICRC’s role as a neutral intermediary between the parties, as our teams are present on both sides of the frontline and engage with all relevant authorities in Russia and in Ukraine. Our teams also bring strong expertise to support authorities to carry out organized, dignified and safe passages for civilians. The ICRC remains committed to continue supporting such humanitarian operations, following agreements between the parties.
All these operations are a sign of hope during conflicts and allow people to reunite with their families or where they wish to be. They are a reminder that civilians must not bear the brunt of hostilities and must be treated with humanity and dignity.
