In a significant move, Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has announced the closure of its operations in Russia after three decades of providing vital medical and humanitarian aid. The decision follows the Russian Justice Ministry's removal of the organization from its register of foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), effectively barring them from continuing their work in the country.

This marks the end of a 32-year presence in Russia, where MSF has been instrumental in delivering medical care and humanitarian assistance since 1992. MSF’s operations in the country were primarily run by its Dutch affiliate, MSF Netherlands, whose registration was officially revoked by Russian authorities. While MSF will maintain a branch office in Moscow, the organization has confirmed that active operations in the country have ceased.

For over three decades, MSF played a critical role in providing essential healthcare services to vulnerable populations in Russia, including the homeless, migrants, and those suffering from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. The organization’s impact is undeniable, as its programs extended across various regions, addressing both chronic and urgent health needs.

More recently, the organization shifted its focus to providing assistance to people displaced by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Since the start of the conflict, MSF provided aid to over 52,000 people, including Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Russia’s borders. The closure of these operations leaves a significant gap in humanitarian and medical care, particularly for those most affected by the ongoing conflict.

The departure of MSF comes at a time when the humanitarian situation in Russia’s border regions is worsening due to escalating tensions with Ukraine. Just prior to their closure, MSF was in the process of scaling up operations to address the needs of displaced people in the Kursk region, a key area of focus due to recent Ukrainian military advances. The region has become a flashpoint, with Ukrainian forces making strategic gains, and in response, Russian forces have launched counteroffensive efforts to regain control.

The Kursk region now finds itself at the center of a renewed military conflict, marking the first time since World War II that foreign forces have occupied Russian territory. This makes the withdrawal of a key aid organization like MSF all the more impactful, as thousands of displaced individuals and war victims will now face greater challenges in accessing critical healthcare.

Norman Sitali, the operations manager for MSF’s programs in Russia, expressed deep regret over the closure, stating, “We are very sad to end the programs, as many people in need of medical and humanitarian assistance will now be left without the support we could have provided to them.” He emphasized that MSF remains open to resuming operations in Russia if the opportunity arises in the future, underscoring the organization's commitment to providing impartial humanitarian assistance wherever it is needed most.

MSF’s closure is part of a broader trend of increasing restrictions on foreign NGOs operating within Russia. In recent years, the Russian government has enacted laws and regulations that have tightened the operational environment for international organizations, particularly those working on issues related to human rights, freedom of expression, and humanitarian aid. Many NGOs, both foreign and domestic, have found themselves either expelled from the country or severely limited in their ability to function. This has raised concerns about the growing isolation of Russia from global humanitarian efforts at a time when such aid is crucial.

The closure of MSF’s operations in Russia highlights the critical importance of independent humanitarian organizations in conflict zones. Groups like MSF are often the only source of medical care for displaced populations and civilians caught in the crossfire of war. Their neutrality allows them to provide assistance without taking sides, and their global presence ensures that they can mobilize quickly to respond to crises.

In the case of Russia and Ukraine, the need for such aid is only growing as the conflict continues to escalate. Without the presence of organizations like MSF, vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and internally displaced people, may find themselves without access to the healthcare services they desperately need. This could lead to a worsening of health conditions in already strained regions, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

While MSF has closed its active programs, the organization has not ruled out a potential return to Russia in the future. Sitali’s statement that MSF “would like to still work in Russia again if and when possible” leaves open the possibility of re-establishing operations should the political climate change. Until then, the closure serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing humanitarian organizations in restrictive environments, and the toll such restrictions can take on the vulnerable populations they serve.

Doctors Without Borders’ departure from Russia after 32 years is a major loss for the country’s most vulnerable communities, particularly those impacted by the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. As one of the few international organizations providing medical aid in Russia, MSF’s closure leaves a critical gap in care. This development also reflects the broader challenges faced by NGOs operating in increasingly restrictive environments, where their ability to deliver impartial aid is undermined by political decisions.

In times of conflict, the role of humanitarian aid cannot be overstated. As tensions rise in regions like Kursk, it’s essential that global attention remains focused on providing relief to those who need it most, regardless of political boundaries. The hope remains that one day, MSF and other humanitarian organizations can return to provide the care that so many still need.