Ukraine's human rights commissioner explains why people were not evacuated from Oleshky directly to Kherson
Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets has said that a direct route across the river to Kherson was never considered for the evacuation from temporarily occupied Oleshky, as the front line passes through there and weakening Ukraine's defences would be unacceptable.
Source: Lubinets at a press conference on 2 November
Details: Lubinets noted that the plan for evacuating people was developed in close cooperation with Ukrainian forces.
Quote: "The logistical route was developed taking information from the Armed Forces of Ukraine into account… Nobody ever even suggested [a different route]. On the contrary, I was warned: don't even think about supporting the [Russian] proposal to clear the mines and make it possible to go from Oleshky straight to Kherson. This is the front line, we will not agree to this, we will definitely not do anything that would weaken the defence of Ukraine. That's why that route was never considered."
Details: Lubinets added that the evacuation route was developed with involvement from the Security Service of Ukraine, military intelligence, and testimony from Ukrainians who had previously escaped the occupied city on their own.
"This logistical route was developed taking two main criteria into account: first, the safety of the people, and second, speed," he emphasised.
The commissioner also noted that Ukraine and Russia are in communication regarding regular deliveries of humanitarian supplies to those who have decided to stay in Oleshky.
Quote: "We discussed the possibility of making the delivery of humanitarian aid systematic. We agreed on this directly. Discussions are currently underway on how to do this at least once a month. This is necessary for the survival of citizens who have made the decision to stay in Oleshky, so that they have at least some basic items."
Details: Lubinets said that some residents had chosen to stay in Oleshky, although he did not disclose how many. He stressed that they had personally confirmed to him that they had made the decision of their own free will. Food, water, medicines, fuel for generators and specialised equipment were delivered to support those remaining in the town and its hospital, which is still operating.
Background:
- On 23 October, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a humanitarian mission and a local ceasefire in Oleshky, both brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump.
- The ceasefire in the Oleshky area lasted from 03:00 on 27 October until 22:59 on 1 November.
- The evacuation route for residents of Oleshky passed through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukraine. By 31 October, all the evacuated Ukrainian citizens had crossed the border into Ukraine in Chernihiv Oblast.
- On the evening of 1 November, Lubinets announced the end of the ceasefire. He said that both sides had fulfilled their obligations throughout this period. However, the Ukrainian military and journalists reported that the Russians had used the ceasefire to bring in heavy armoured vehicles and ammunition and rotate their units. On the morning of 2 November, the Russians attacked a hospital in Kherson with a drone.
- Also on 2 November, Lubinets said that the parties would not disclose how many people had been evacuated and announced plans to establish a state-run Centre for the Return of Civilians after the humanitarian mission in Oleshky exposed shortcomings in the coordination of evacuation efforts.
- Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, has said that Moscow currently has no plans to conduct new "humanitarian operations" similar to the evacuation from temporarily occupied Oleshky.
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