Ukraine's human rights commissioner says Russia is not agreeing to evacuation from occupied Oleshky, people walk through mined fields

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has said Russia has for some time failed to confirm that it is ready to organise a humanitarian mission to evacuate civilians from the settlement of Oleshky, on the left bank of the Dnipro River near Kherson in the grey zone.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets

Quote: "Following the negotiations, the Russian side has for a long time not confirmed that it is ready to carry out a humanitarian mission to evacuate people.

But our [Human Rights Commissioner's] Office continues to collect and verify information, as well as communicate with the International Committee of the Red Cross, international organisations and the relevant Ukrainian state bodies.

We also continue to insist that the Russian side urgently evacuate people who are effectively trapped in the grey zone. These are civilians who face the threat of attacks and drone strikes every day and are left without food, drinking water, medicines and other essential assistance."

Details: Lubinets said agreements have been reached with the Russian side earlier and clear procedures have been established. A list of people to be evacuated has also been agreed.

Quote: "We carried out the necessary work with the security and defence forces to ensure a ceasefire during the humanitarian mission."

More details: Lubinets also said the Human Rights Commissioner's Office had verified 358 people who urgently needed help to evacuate safely.

Quote: "And these are only the people we have managed to identify. Based on the population of Oleshky and the surrounding district, more than 6,000 people may still remain there, including about 200 children. The most terrifying thing is that people are already trying to leave on their own through mined fields because they see no other way out of this hell. They risk stepping on a mine or being hit by a drone, but they keep going because staying in Oleshky is even worse for them."

Background: It was reported in June that around 6,000 residents, including 182 children, remained in the Oleshky hromada , located in the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast. 

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