Hunger or minefields: Ukrainian civilians trapped in Russian-occupied Oleshky

According to the ombudsman, dozens of people have to leave the town by bicycle, moped, or on foot, without safe routes or transport connections.

People are leaving their homes to find food and essential supplies for themselves and their loved ones.

"The choice Russia leaves civilians with every day: stay and die of hunger, or leave and risk being blown up by a mine," Lubinets stressed.

He emphasized that such actions by the Russian side constitute a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Although the European Union previously stated that humanitarian access to Oleshky must be provided and civilians must be given the opportunity to leave safely, the evacuation remains blocked.

"I appeal to our international partners: help us save these people. I have previously sent letters to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations. Everything had been agreed upon. But Russia has no humanity and is blocking the evacuation," the ombudsman said.

Russian forces continue to block the evacuation from the occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region.

According to Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, more than 6,000 people may remain in the city, including about 200 children.

Despite all appeals, the Russian side has not confirmed its readiness to carry out a humanitarian evacuation of civilians.

The critical situation facing the population has prompted a response at the international level.

In particular, the European Commission has called on Russia to urgently provide humanitarian access to Oleshky, where civilians have been without food, medicine, and drinking water for an extended period.

At the same time, Russian forces are trying to conceal their own crimes and the consequences of the humanitarian crisis. To do so, Russia has developed propaganda guidelines containing false claims about the actual situation in Oleshky.