NNA - The Ukrainian embassy announced in a statement on Monday that "the Ukrainian military operation is taking place on the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation exclusively within the framework of international law and in accordance with the UN Charter."

It added, "Ukraine's military actions are aimed at protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, responding to aggression from the Russian Federation," noting that "in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which guarantees the right to individual or collective self-defense, Ukraine has the legal right to take the necessary measures to protect its state from external threats."

The statement assured that “since the beginning of the operation in the Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces, as a professional and civilized European army, have demonstrated a high level of professionalism and clear compliance with the international humanitarian law."

It added that "the civilian population in the region has received and continues to receive humanitarian assistance, such as meeting their basic needs and providing opportunities for evacuation from areas of active hostilities."

It explained that "the operation is part of efforts to reduce Russia’s military potential to continue the war against Ukraine."

The embassy statement concluded by stressing that "Ukraine adheres to the norms of humanitarian law, which emphasize its desire to preserve human lives and minimize harm to the civilian population," and that "all actions are coordinated within the framework of international support and cooperation to restore peace and security in the region."

===========R.Sh.