Ukrainian human rights chief says Russian equipment seen in video was used for mine clearance

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets has said that Russian military equipment seen moving in Sky News footage filmed during the ceasefire in Oleshky was being used for mine clearance under Ukrainian supervision.

Source: Lubinets at a press conference on 2 November

Details: Asked about reports that Russian forces were using the ceasefire in Oleshky to build up troops and equipment, as well as footage showing their movements, Lubinets said the agreements reached with the Russian side explicitly prohibited such activities.

Quote: "We didn't just discuss this. We explicitly stipulated it in the document. The buildup of forces and movement of equipment are prohibited."

Details: Lubinets added that each side had appointed a representative responsible for monitoring compliance with the agreements. The parties initially agreed to check compliance every two hours and provide periodic public updates on the findings.

Lubinets said that before the ceasefire ended, he had met with Ukraine's designated representative and members of the defence forces. Following checks, both sides confirmed that no violations had been recorded.

He added that on 2 November, after seeing reports of alleged violations, he personally reviewed the footage, contacted Ukraine's designated representative and held a meeting.

Quote: "The video clearly shows Russian military equipment marked with red crosses. It was used for mine clearance under strict Ukrainian supervision. Once the mines had been cleared, the equipment returned to its original location.

I won't venture to make any judgements. I'm speaking about what happened under my supervision. The video can be interpreted in different ways."

Previously: Earlier on 2 November, British television news channel Sky News released a report on how Russian forces moved heavy equipment and ammunition in Oleshky under cover of the ceasefire. The journalists were granted exclusive access to the command centre at the headquarters of Ukraine's 34th Marine Brigade, where troops were monitoring Russian movements.

Dmytro Pulinets, commander of the brigade, told Sky News that during the ceasefire, Russian forces had repaired or replaced artillery systems, retaken previously lost positions, rotated troops, brought in reinforcements and equipment, and strengthened their aerial reconnaissance capabilities and fuel supplies.

Ukraine's General Staff also reported that the Russians had used the ceasefire to rotate units, fortify positions, strengthen anti-drone protection on roads and build up logistics.

Background:

• The ceasefire in the Oleshky area lasted from 03:00 on 27 October until 22:59 on 1 November. This was implemented to facilitate a humanitarian mission in the town.
• Under an agreement reached by the Russian and Ukrainian sides, the evacuation route for residents of Oleshky passed through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukraine. On 31 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that all 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.

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