Russians tidied streets and removed bodies in Oleshky ahead of journalists' visit
Ukrainian public broadcaster hromadske has said that Russian forces were seen clearing rubbish and bodies and tidying up streets in the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky ahead of the beginning of the evacuation of residents and the arrival of journalists.
Source: hromadske, citing informed sources
Details: Oleksandra Knyha, Founder of Kryla Foundation, who is in contact with residents of the occupied city and their families, said: "They [the Russians] removed the bodies and cleared away all the garbage. People were genuinely happy because, for the first time in a very long time, the bodies and garbage had been cleared away. They hadn't seen the town like that in ages."
Mariam Lambert, CEO of the Emile Foundation, said, citing a resident of Oleshky, that streets were being cleaned and kerbs painted to prepare the town for cameras.
It is noted that around 100 bodies are being kept in the basement of the hospital in Oleshky. Some have been there since the winter. Local residents said that you cannot stand there for even a minute because of the stench.
According to hromadske, the bodies of people who have died or been killed may also be removed from the town during the humanitarian mission.
Previously: Under an agreement reached by the Russian and Ukrainian sides, the evacuation route for residents of Oleshky will pass through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukraine. The Office of Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, explained why the evacuation is taking place via this specific route.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced that 527 residents of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast will be returning to Ukraine. He later apologised and clarified that the numbers are still changing and that official information will be available only once the evacuation is over.
Background:
- Lubinets announced the start of the ceasefire in the Oleshky area from 03:00 Kyiv time on 27 October. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed that the ceasefire has been introduced.
- On 23 October, the White House announced that Melania Trump had secured a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky, where a humanitarian disaster is currently unfolding.
- The ceasefire is scheduled to remain in effect until 22:59 on 1 November.
- On the evening of 30 October, Lubinets said that the convoys carrying Oleshky residents had split up and were on their way. No violations had been recorded during the humanitarian mission.
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