Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that more than 6,000 civilians, including around 200 children, may still be left in the city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, which lies on temporarily occupied territory. According to him, in recent weeks his office has received numerous appeals from residents who are subjected to daily shelling and drone attacks and are suffering an acute shortage of food, drinking water, and medicine. The ombudsman emphasized that the city has effectively turned into a "death trap," from which people are trying to escape on their own by crossing mined fields.
Kyiv's Readiness and Moscow's Refusal
According to Lubinets, the Ukrainian side has already held negotiations with Russia and developed a detailed algorithm for a possible humanitarian mission. A list of civilians planned for evacuation from Oleshky was agreed upon, and security and defense forces prepared to ensure a ceasefire regime during the operation. The ombudsman also secured the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which confirmed its readiness to participate in the operation in accordance with its mandate. Nevertheless, following the negotiations, Russia has still not confirmed its readiness to carry out the evacuation, which, in Kyiv's assessment, effectively blocks the rescue of thousands of people.
Scale of the Humanitarian Crisis
The Ombudsman's Office is currently continuing to collect and verify information about people remaining on the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast. A total of 176 appeals regarding the humanitarian situation have been recorded, and information on 358 people in urgent need of assistance and safe departure has already been verified. According to Lubinets's estimate, more than 6,000 people may be in Oleshky and the surrounding area. Civilians remain daily under threat of shelling and drone attacks, while access to basic needs — food, water, and medical care — is extremely limited.
Desperate Attempts to Escape on Their Own
Particular concern is raised by the fact that some civilians are already trying to leave Oleshky on their own by crossing mined fields, as they see no other way out of the city. Such a route creates an additional mortal danger: people risk stepping on mines or coming under drone fire. "These people need to be saved. Because the city has turned into a death trap," Lubinets stated, addressing the international community.
International Context and the May Agreements
Several months ago, the ombudsman informed international organizations, including the UN and the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, about the situation in Oleshky, urging them to help civilians and prevent mass casualties. In May of this year, Ukraine and Russia agreed on the technical details of evacuating around 6,000 civilians from Oleshky and nearby settlements, including about 200 children. Kyiv expected Moscow to agree to a ceasefire necessary for carrying out the operation. However, despite the technical agreements reached, no real progress has been made. The Ombudsman's Office is currently continuing its communication with the ICRC, international organizations, and Ukrainian state bodies, while simultaneously pressing Russia to urgently carry out a humanitarian evacuation.
