How Does the Ukrainian Military Commandant’s Office Operates in the Kursk Region?

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko detailed how Ukraine’s commandant’s office operates in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, emphasizing the country’s adherence to international conventions and its role as a responsible state.

Speaking at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Kropyvnytskyi, Klymenko addressed journalists, explaining the situation on the ground.

Klymenko stressed that Ukraine has not occupied or established any authority in the territories within the Kursk region. Instead, a military commandant oversees the area, ensuring that residents receive necessary humanitarian aid and medical supplies, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions.

“We did not occupy these territories, nor did we establish any authority. A military commandant is in place, and those who remain there receive humanitarian aid and medicine from our military. This is stipulated in the Geneva Conventions. It’s not about appearing good; it’s a matter of state responsibility. We are showing that Ukraine is a responsible state that abides by the conventions it has signed.”

Klymenko further explained the logistics of aid delivery, stating that the military coordinates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which then facilitates the transfer of supplies through the police and the State Emergency Service.

Klymenko noted that most of the remaining residents are elderly, with many suffering from serious health conditions such as cancer and diabetes. "

“These people—90% of whom are aged 60+—include cancer patients and diabetes patients who do not have access to medicine. We cannot abandon them to die. This is why such efforts are being made. The military commandant’s office is fully responsible for maintaining the vital functions of the regions where our troops are conducting defense operations.”

Ukraine officially announced carrying out an operation in the Kursk region on August 12.

As of August 20, the Armed Forces control more than 1,260 square kilometers of territory and 93 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.