Dozens of people are leaving occupied Oleshky on their own. Some are travelling by bicycle or moped, while others are going on foot, including in order to find and buy food for themselves and their loved ones.
This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
According to him, people are leaving without proper transport, a safe route, or any guarantees that they will be able to reach their destination safely.
"They know there may be mines along the way. But staying also means risking your life," Lubinets noted.
He stressed that in occupied Oleshky people have been left without the bare essentials – food, clean water and medicines.
"The choice Russia leaves civilians with every day: stay – and die of hunger; leave – and risk being blown up by a mine," the ombudsman wrote.
Lubinets noted that the EU recently stated the need for humanitarian access to Oleshky and for civilians to be able to leave the city safely.
According to the ombudsman, people need not only statements, but a safe corridor, assistance and a chance to survive.
Lubinets also reported that he had previously sent letters to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN regarding the evacuation of people. According to him, Russia is blocking the evacuation.
"In Oleshky and the surrounding settlements there are the same people as us. And right now they can still be saved. While there is still someone to save," the ombudsman stressed.
- Read about the critical situation in the occupied city in an LB.ua report "We will, of course, survive… or not". What is happening in occupied Oleshky".