The International Red Cross Movement is under pressure to take action against the Russian Red Cross (RRC) because of close ties between the group and the Kremlin’s war and propaganda machine.

In the evidence that has been referred to the central role of the president of the RRC in a “patriotic” pro-Putin organization, but also to the statements of a senior official of the RRC who speaks of the impossibility of peace with the “Ukrainian Nazis” and the participation of the RRC in a military education for children.

There are also reports, which were revealed in Kremlin documents leaked by the Estonian publication Delfi and they were shared as well Guardianthat the Kremlin plans to replace the work of the international Red Cross in the occupied territories in Ukraine by funding new, self-controlled Red Cross organizations.

In response to the reports, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) said it was “carefully examining the allegations”. It is currently under pressure from the governments that fund the organization to take action against the RRC.

The IFRC, an umbrella body of 191 national delegations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, has the power to take disciplinary action or suspend membership of national delegations that violate Red Cross principles. It works closely with its International Committee Red Cross (ICRC)which works on the ground in conflict zones, including Ukraine, where it distributes humanitarian aid and is mandated to visit prisoners of war on both sides.

International agencies are funded by government and philanthropic donors and often work with local Red Cross branches. In turn, national Red Cross delegations often work with government structures to respond to crises, but all are governed by the Red Cross principles of “neutrality, impartiality and independence”.