Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether his Department is taking steps to help support civilians fleeing from (a) Vovchansk and (b) other towns near Kharkiv in the context of recent attacks in that area.

We are deeply concerned about the current situation around Kharkiv and the ongoing attacks by Russia. UK partners on the ground are operating in this challenging context to provide support to displaced people and those affected near frontline areas, where humanitarian needs are already most severe and access to basic services is most constrained. To date, we have committed £357 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region, which includes support to evacuate from frontline areas. Our partners are coordinating their efforts with the Government of Ukraine who are leading the response.

We will continue to monitor the situation around Kharkiv as it develops.