Presentation of the Voluntary Report by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to the Ukrainian Red Cross

A presentation of the Voluntary Report on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine was held in Kyiv for the staff of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross. The presentation was delivered by Dr Inna Zavorotko, Lieutenant Colonel of Justice and Deputy Head of the International Law Division within the Legal Support Department of the Ministry of Defence.

Dr Zavorotko provided a detailed overview of the report’s content and key provisions. The Voluntary Report, prepared and published by the Ministry of Defence in 2024 with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross, represents a unique case in global practice: it has been produced and made public by the defence ministry of a state actively engaged in full-scale war.

The Voluntary Report was officially presented at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in October 2024, as well as in the capitals of several countries around the world. The Ukrainian Red Cross supported the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine throughout all stages of the report’s preparation, publication, and dissemination—both nationally and internationally.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Ukraine continues to place high importance on compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL). This commitment is not only a matter of legal responsibility, but also a fundamental act of preserving humanity in times of war. Ukraine stands ready to share its unique experience with the global community, particularly through the publication and distribution of the Voluntary IHL Report.

The presentation was followed by a training session led by Khrystyna Duda, an IHL volunteer trainer with the Ukrainian Red Cross. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the core concepts and principles of international humanitarian law, and explore how these can be applied in their professional and volunteer work.