Russia says 'agreement' reached with Ukraine on evacuating Kursk residents
Local residents attend a memorial ceremony under a destroyed bridge in Irpin, northwest of Kyiv today (AFP photo)
MOSCOW — Moscow has struck a deal with Kyiv and the Red Cross to evacuate residents from the embattled Kursk region, parts of which have been seized by Ukraine, Russia's rights commissioner said Monday.
Kyiv launched a surprise cross-border assault on the Russian region more than six months ago, capturing dozens of villages and trapping many Russian civilians on the opposite side of the front line.Some of those residents have now crossed into Ukraine's neighbouring Sumy region and are awaiting evacuation via Belarus, Russian rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said."There are people who are already in Sumy today. And there is an agreement with the Red Cross and the Ukrainian side that they will be evacuated through Belarus to Russia," Moskalkova said, according to Russia's RIA news agency.Moskalkova did not say how many Kursk residents would be evacuated under the agreement.An official missing persons list compiled by Russian authorities initially recorded only around 500 people unaccounted for in the Ukrainian-occupied zone, but local residents say the number is close to 3,000.
Ukraine says thousands of its own civilians are being held in areas seized and occupied by Moscow since its assault began on February 24, 2022, and that it is providing safe passage to Russians in the Kursk region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
an hour ago
- Roya News
UN nuclear watchdog condemns Iran for lack of nuclear transparency
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution Thursday censuring Iran for its continued failure to meet its nuclear transparency obligations, increasing diplomatic pressure on Tehran amid escalating regional tensions. The resolution, drafted by the US, UK, France, and Germany, passed with 19 votes in favor out of 35 member states, according to diplomatic sources cited by AFP. Three countries, China, Russia, and Burkina Faso, voted against it, while 11 abstained. Venezuela and Paraguay were unable to vote due to financial arrears. The measure marks the latest attempt by Western powers to hold Iran accountable for its lack of cooperation with nuclear inspectors, with concerns persisting that Tehran could be moving closer to developing nuclear weapons, an allegation Iranian authorities consistently deny. In a statement issued during the IAEA board meeting, US chargé d'affaires Howard Solomon emphasized Washington's desire for a diplomatic solution. 'The United States is negotiating in good faith to reach a deal that allows us to say with confidence what President Trump has said time and again: Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon,' Solomon said. 'Iran now has a clear opportunity to build confidence: by providing the Agency with greater transparency' and 'ceasing its escalatory nuclear activities,' he added. The resolution urged Iran 'to urgently remedy its non-compliance' with its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and expressed regret that, despite repeated requests and opportunities, Tehran has not fully cooperated with the IAEA. The watchdog noted its inability to confirm that Iran's nuclear efforts are solely peaceful, stating this uncertainty justifies potential referral to the UN Security Council, which holds the authority to impose sanctions. Tensions have risen in recent months as Iran continues to enrich uranium close to weapons-grade levels and restricts IAEA access to key facilities. Western diplomats say the resolution aims to pressure Tehran into restoring cooperation with nuclear inspectors. Tehran has threatened retaliation if censured. Ahead of the vote, Iranian officials warned they would 'react very strongly' by reducing collaboration with the IAEA.
Roya News
an hour ago
- Roya News
Egypt detains over 200 activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march
Egyptian security forces have detained more than 200 international activists in Cairo, days before a planned march aimed at challenging 'Israel's' blockade on the Gaza Strip. According to Saif Abukeshek, a spokesperson for the organizing group, the individuals were stopped at various locations across the Egyptian capital, including Cairo International Airport and multiple hotels. 'Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo,' Abukeshek told Agence France-Presse (AFP), noting that the detainees include citizens from the US, Australia, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Algeria. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saif AbuKeshek (@abukeshek) The march, set to begin Friday, was organized to push for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to demand an end to 'Israel's' siege of the territory. Participants planned to travel to Egypt's Rafah border crossing and stage a peaceful demonstration. Abukeshek said plainclothes police entered several hotels across the Egyptian capital on Wednesday with lists of names, questioning activists and in some cases confiscating phones and searching belongings. 'After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,' he noted. At a press briefing earlier this week, organizers stated that around 4,000 participants from over 40 countries had already booked flights to Cairo, with many having arrived in advance of the event. According to plans, the marchers were to travel by bus to El-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, and then walk 50km toward the Rafah crossing. They would camp near the border before returning to Cairo on June 19. The march has drawn criticism from 'Israeli' officials. Defence Minister Israel Katz said, 'Israel has called on Egyptian authorities to prevent the arrival of jihadist protesters at the Egypt-Israel border,' adding that such actions 'would endanger the safety of [Israeli] soldiers and will not be allowed.'
Jordan News
17 hours ago
- Jordan News
Russia: Agreement with the U.S. to Move Negotiations to Moscow and Washington - Jordan News
Russia: Agreement with the U.S. to Move Negotiations to Moscow and Washington The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Moscow and Washington have agreed to transfer negotiations—aimed at resuming diplomatic relations and cooperation in various fields—from Istanbul to the respective capitals of Moscow and Washington. The move reflects a mutual desire to address outstanding issues more directly. اضافة اعلان In an official press statement, the ministry said: "The next round of these negotiations will be held in Moscow in the very near future, to continue discussions on breaking the deadlock in bilateral relations and resuming cooperation in several areas." — (Petra News Agency)
