Russia does not confirm readiness to evacuate civilians from Oleshky - Lubinets

Russia has for a long time not confirmed its readiness to ensure a humanitarian mission for the evacuation of civilians from occupied Oleshky and nearby settlements in the Kherson region.

This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

According to him, Ukraine is ready to organize a humanitarian mission and evacuate civilians from the Oleshky area, but this requires confirmation from the Russian side and security guarantees. Kyiv has not yet received such confirmation.

Lubinets noted that Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnieper near the line of combat operations. In such conditions, independent departure of people is extremely dangerous, so for an organized evacuation it is necessary to agree on a ceasefire regime and a safe route.

Attempts to organize mass evacuation have been ongoing for several months. As early as March 5, the Ombudsman's Office appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross with a request to facilitate the creation of a humanitarian corridor from Oleshky and neighboring settlements.

In May, Lubinets reported that the Ukrainian and Russian sides had reached preliminary agreements on the evacuation of civilians. Ukraine was waiting for the Russian Federation to determine the date and time of a ceasefire necessary to begin the operation.

Later, in early July, the Ukrainian Ombudsman again appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross with a request to obtain a "silence regime" from Russia for humanitarian evacuation. However, organized mass evacuation of the population never took place.

In August, Lubinets stated that about 6 thousand civilians, including children, could remain in Oleshky and nearby settlements. According to him, the Ukrainian side fulfilled preparatory conditions for launching the agreed mechanism, but its implementation depended on Russia's actions.

The humanitarian situation in the city remains difficult. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission and human rights defenders, regular supplies of food to Oleshky were disrupted as early as spring. Residents face shortages of food, medicine, fuel, electricity and water.

Human Rights Watch reported in July that there is no organized safe route for the evacuation of elderly people, people with disabilities, the sick and other vulnerable residents from Oleshky. Human rights defenders also pointed to the danger of shelling and mines on roads around the city.

According to Lubinets, Ukraine continues to seek a humanitarian mission and counts on the participation of international mediators.

Based on materials from: Dmytro Lubinets, Human Rights Watch, Kherson Oblast Military Administration