Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said that Russian military vehicles recorded by Sky News journalists, brought into Oleshky and surrounding areas, were used for mine clearance. He claims that after completing their tasks, the occupiers withdrew them.
Lubinets shared this information at a briefing on 2 November. He said compliance with the ceasefire had been monitored from the very start of the agreements.
“The video clearly shows Russian military vehicles marked with red crosses. These military vehicles were used for mine clearance under the strict supervision of the Ukrainian side. After the demining, these military vehicles returned to where they had been. As for the next steps: even today, after a meeting on the Ukrainian side, so to speak, the same happened on the Russian side as well, and I have spoken with the Russian side repeatedly,” he said.
Lubinets assured that the return of the military vehicles to their previous positions had been confirmed by both the Ukrainian and Russian sides, and that the footage could be interpreted in different ways. All the details of the agreements were known only to the people who worked on the document setting out the arrangements.
Context
From 27 October to 22:59 on 1 November, Ukraine and Russia, with US mediation, carried out a humanitarian mission in occupied Oleshky. A ceasefire was in effect during this period. Humanitarian aid was delivered to Oleshky, and everyone who wished was evacuated.
The General Staff reported that Russia used the ceasefire to set up positions. Sky News also showed video from Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance in which the occupiers are seen dispersing among houses in Oleshky and moving equipment. Soldiers of the 34th Brigade told the channel that before the ceasefire the Russians had not allowed themselves such freedom of movement.