The Russian side has effectively blocked further efforts to carry out the humanitarian evacuation of civilians from Oleshky in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region. The city currently remains in a grey zone, with residents facing constant risks of shelling and shortages of food, drinking water and medicines, according to Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
“Following negotiations, the Russian side has for a considerable time failed to confirm its readiness to carry out a humanitarian mission to evacuate people... We continue to insist that the Russian side urgently evacuate people who are effectively trapped in a grey zone. These are civilians who face the threat of shelling and drone attacks every day and remain without food, drinking water, medicines and other essential assistance,” Lubinets wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.
“These people must be saved. The city has turned into a deadly trap,” the Ombudsman stressed.
According to Lubinets, the Ombudsman’s Office continues to collect and verify information and remains in contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international organisations and the relevant Ukrainian government agencies.
He said the Ukrainian side has fully prepared the humanitarian mission. It secured the support of the ICRC, which confirmed its readiness to participate in the evacuation in accordance with its mandate; a ceasefire arrangement was agreed, and Ukraine’s Security and Defence Forces carried out the necessary preparations to ensure the mission’s safe passage. The UN and the ICRC headquarters in Geneva were also formally notified of the critical situation several months ago.
Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 6,000 people may still remain in Oleshky and the surrounding area, including around 200 children. Authorities have received 176 official appeals concerning the humanitarian situation and have already verified 358 people who require immediate evacuation.
