UN seeking access to Russia’s Kursk Region

Human rights officials want to gather information on alleged Ukrainian atrocities.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has asked Moscow for access to Kursk Region in order to verify Russian claims of abuses committed by invading Ukrainian troops.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova had called on the UN to condemn Ukrainian “terrorism” and take measures to prevent human rights violations.

“We are trying to gather information about the situation in Kursk Region, but without access it is very difficult,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday. “We have requested access to Russia to be able to obtain additional information.”

The OHCHR has acknowledged that at least four Russian civilians have been killed as a result of the “Ukrainian military operation.”

According to acting Kursk Region Governor Aleksey Smirnov, at least 12 Russian civilians have been killed and another 121 injured, including ten children. He also said that over 120,000 residents have been evacuated from the border area.

Russian lawmaker Aleksey Chepa, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told the media on Tuesday that Moscow is inclined to approve the UN request for access.

“If there are no provocations here, and the UN commissioners will be objective about the information they can get there, then obviously yes,” Chepa told the outlet Lenta.ru. “They can see the destruction that took place and draw the appropriate conclusions.”

Elements of six Ukrainian brigades invaded Kursk Region in the morning of August 6, taking over several border villages. Moscow has introduced a state of emergency and launched a counter-terrorist operation in the region, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy.

Ukrainian troops interviewed by Western outlets have admitted that the goal of the incursion was to capture some territory that could be traded with Russia in possible peace talks and to relieve pressure on the Donbass front. Moscow has since ruled out any negotiations with Kiev, while Russian troops have accelerated their advance.