Approximately 6,000 civilians, including around 200 children, are in urgent need of evacuation from Oleshky and nearby areas in the temporarily occupied Kherson region. Ukrainian officials have engaged in discussions with Russian representatives regarding this matter, with a focus on establishing a ceasefire to facilitate the evacuation.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights, provided updates during a press briefing, stating that the evacuation would involve transporting individuals to safer locations within Ukraine. Due to military constraints, crossing the river to the right bank is currently not feasible, prompting the exploration of alternative routes.
“We have identified a viable option that can be implemented quickly. Ukrainian citizens will first be evacuated from these specific areas to a relatively safe location, from where they will be retrieved by Ukrainian authorities and returned to areas under Ukrainian control,” Lubinets explained.
In addition to evacuation efforts, discussions with Russia have also included the repatriation of deceased individuals, including civilians, whose bodies remain in Oleshky and surrounding communities. The exact number of fatalities is currently unknown, as verifying data has proven challenging.
“I hesitate to provide specific figures, but given the scale of the situation, it is likely that there are a significant number of casualties,” the Ombudsman remarked.
Some residents are attempting to evacuate independently and are seeking assistance from volunteers, although these efforts carry substantial risks. Russian forces maintain complete control over the area, have laid mines, and view even civilian movements as potential threats.
Earlier, Lubinets participated in a telethon where he discussed urgent humanitarian evacuation negotiations for individuals in Oleshky and nearby territories, including Holaya Prystan, Stara Zburivka, and Nova Zburivka.
He also mentioned receiving a response from the International Committee of the Red Cross, indicating their readiness to assist in organizing the departure of Ukrainian citizens from the occupied areas of Oleshky.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, residents of Oleshky are facing dire conditions due to the actions of Russian troops. The population has plummeted from 24,000 to approximately 2,000, with critical infrastructure largely destroyed and a complete lack of electricity and gas supply.
Efforts are being made to evacuate thousands of civilians from the occupied Kherson region, with discussions ongoing between Ukraine and Russia. The situation remains critical as many residents face severe hardships amid ongoing military control.