Residents of Oleshky began seeking help with evacuation following the humanitarian mission, — Lubinets

Oleshky. Archive photo: 34th Separate Marine Brigade

Following the humanitarian mission in Oleshky, in the Kherson region, the Ukrainian side began receiving new appeals from local residents asking for help with evacuation.

This was reported by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights, during a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, according to «MOST».

According to Dmytro Lubinets, whilst in Oleshky, he spoke personally with local residents and asked why they did not want to leave. People explained that they wished to remain in their own homes and also wanted to see how the humanitarian mission would turn out.

The Ombudsman noted that many residents did not believe in the success of this mission until the very last moment.

«I have already discussed potential next steps with the Russian side,» said Dmytro Lubinets.

How residents of occupied Oleshky were evacuated

During the humanitarian operation, the Defence Forces evacuated 167 people from the right bank of the Kherson region. According to the General Staff, people were transported via mined and damaged roads.

The last plane carrying residents of occupied Oleshky arrived in Belarus on 31 October. From there, those who decided to return to Ukraine travelled to government-controlled territory and crossed the border in the Chernihiv region.

The oldest person evacuated was 94 years old, and the youngest was just over a year old. People also took their pets with them, including dogs, cats, a parrot and a raccoon.

It later emerged that a direct route from the occupied town of Oleshky to Kherson via the Dnipro River had not been considered, as this could have weakened Ukrainian defences. The military were categorically opposed to this option and warned against demining the area.

In addition, it was reported that a ceasefire lasting more than five days had allowed for the repatriation of the bodies of those killed in Oleshky. Among them were Ukrainian military personnel and civilians.