Russian Rights Commissioner Says Evacuation from Oleshky Must Be Voluntary

Dragon Media News Desk

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova has said it is unacceptable to describe the planned removal of families with children from Oleshky as forced. She said residents should be free to decide whether to stay or leave.

Lantratova urged Ukrainian forces to stop shelling the city and laying mines on roads. She said the proposed Russian humanitarian mission aims to assess residents’ needs, deliver medicine, food and hygiene supplies, and help those who wish to leave reach safety. She added that only a small number of residents had expressed a desire to leave. These claims have not been independently verified.

Russia describes Oleshky as its territory. International news organisations, however, identify it as a Ukrainian city in the Kherson region under Russian control.

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a local ceasefire to allow aid deliveries and the safe evacuation of civilians. The truce took effect on October 27, with a humanitarian operation expected to follow, the Associated Press reported.