Zelenskyy assumes Russia may clear routes out of Oleshky in a way that directs people towards Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Russian occupation forces will clear roads of mines in Oleshky for the humanitarian operation in a way that directs residents towards Russia.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Ukrainian media outlet TSN-Tyzhden
Quote: "Undoubtedly, Russia will do everything to demine [roads in Oleshky] in such a way that these people head towards Russia and stay there."
Details: The president believes that the Russians will not agree to "simply let the people go without any strings attached".
Zelenskyy also said that a portion of the population will be evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory one way or another.
Quote: "The main thing is to establish how many people are trapped and unblock them so they can survive. Ideally, they should be able to reach their destination and evacuate to Ukraine, which will provide them with everything they need and support them unconditionally."
Background:
- On the evening of 23 October, the Ukrainian and Russian General Staffs announced that a ceasefire would come into effect in a designated area from the night of 27 October to allow a humanitarian operation in temporarily occupied Oleshky.
- On 24 October, Zelenskyy said he hopes that US mediation to unblock the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky will be successful, but the situation remains dire as Russian forces have mined the roads.
- Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, called on people to provide his office with information ahead of the humanitarian operation about residents remaining in Oleshky, Kherson Oblast, who need assistance.
- The White House issued a statement reporting that US First Lady Melania Trump has secured a truce between Russia and Ukraine in Russian-occupied Oleshky, where a humanitarian disaster is currently unfolding.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia has agreed to a ceasefire so that a humanitarian mission can be carried out in Oleshky.
- Lubinets confirmed that a humanitarian operation will take place in Oleshky on 29 October and that a ceasefire will be in effect.
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