Ukraine has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) not to open an office in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, located near its eastern border, so it doesn’t support what Kiev claims is the “abduction” and “forced deportation” of Ukrainians to Russia.

The ICRC, commenting on Kiev's appeal on Sunday, told Reuters it had no first-hand information about reports of forced evacuations to Russia from Ukraine and did not facilitate any such operations. It said it was planning to open an office in Rostov-on-Don to increase its ability to help those in need.

“Our priority is to reach victims of armed conflict, wherever they are, in order to assist them,” the ICRC said.

The decision to open an office in the city was taken by the charity following the visit to Russia of its president, Peter Maurer, from March 23 to 24.