British TV channel Sky News has published aerial footage shot during the evacuation of Oleshky residents, which, according to journalist Azad Safarov, records Russia's use of the humanitarian corridor for military purposes. The report, prepared with reference to Sky News and relayed by RBC-Ukraine, was released after the evacuees reached Ukrainian-controlled territory. The footage shows buses with evacuees and journalists accompanying the people out of the city.
Aerial footage: what the Sky News team saw
According to Safarov, the film crew observed Russian military personnel bringing heavy equipment into Oleshky and neighboring villages before, during, and after the evacuation. The journalist also reported the delivery of weapons, ammunition, personnel, and food. According to his data, the occupiers went from house to house looking for basements for new positions and recapturing previously lost lines.
"Covering tracks"
A separate emphasis in the report is placed on the fact that, in the journalist's assessment, the Russians were "covering their tracks": from the morgue, according to him, they removed the bodies of civilians killed by shelling and mines. These details are based on the observations of the Sky News film crew and are not confirmed by independent sources in the text of the report.
Kyiv's position: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the ceasefire regime
The course of events coincides with statements from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The agency reported that the Russian army used the ceasefire regime to set up positions: rotated units, strengthened lines, expanded anti-drone measures on roads, and increased logistics, including the delivery of ammunition. The ceasefire in the city was in effect from October 27 to November 1.
Evacuation: almost 800 people
On October 31, residents of Oleshky were taken to Ukrainian-controlled territory. According to US First Lady Melania Trump, nearly 800 people were evacuated from the city. Prior to this, local residents had spent about half a year in conditions described as a humanitarian catastrophe; hundreds of people, according to RBC-Ukraine, decided to stay in Ukraine.
Why the footage was shown only now
Safarov explained the delay in publication by the fact that the material could not be shown until the evacuees reached a safe zone. The journalist emphasized that it is important to demonstrate the footage to the foreign audience, diplomats, and the Trump administration, "who believe that the Russians can be trusted.">
