Zelenskyy Expects Russia to Clear Oleshky Roads in a Way That Pushes Residents Toward Russia
Ukraine's president says occupation forces will likely shape demining to steer civilians eastward, as a ceasefire for a humanitarian operation in the occupied town approaches.
By News Media House Staff ·
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced concern that Russian occupation forces will remove mines from roads around Oleshky in a manner designed to send residents toward Russia. He made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainian outlet TSN-Tyzhden, ahead of a planned humanitarian operation in the town.
"Undoubtedly, Russia will do everything to demine [roads in Oleshky] in such a way that these people head towards Russia and stay there," Zelenskyy said. In his view, Moscow will not agree to "simply let the people go without any strings attached."
The president added that, one way or another, some of the town's residents will be evacuated to territory controlled by Ukraine. He described the first priority as finding out how many people are trapped and freeing them so they can survive. Ideally, he said, they should be able to reach their destination and leave for Ukraine, which would provide them with everything they need and support them unconditionally.
The comments follow an announcement made on the evening of 23 October, when the Ukrainian and Russian General Staffs said a ceasefire would take effect in a designated area from the night of 27 October. The pause is meant to allow a humanitarian operation in temporarily occupied Oleshky.
On 24 October, Zelenskyy said he hoped US mediation aimed at unblocking the town would succeed. He cautioned, however, that the situation remains dire because Russian forces have mined the roads.
The White House has said that US First Lady Melania Trump secured a truce between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, where it described a humanitarian disaster as currently unfolding. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia agreed to a ceasefire so that a humanitarian mission can proceed.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, confirmed that the humanitarian operation will take place in Oleshky on 29 October, with the ceasefire in effect. He has also urged people to send his office information about residents still in Oleshky, in Kherson Oblast, who need assistance, so that details can be gathered before the operation begins.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: Ukrainska Pravda
