Lubinets travels to occupied Oleshky via Russian territory
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said he agreed to a route through Russia because there is no other way to reach temporarily occupied Oleshky. The trip is part of a humanitarian mission.
Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has agreed to a route through Russian territory for a humanitarian mission to the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky. His press service told the outlet Ukrainska Pravda on 29 October that no other option exists. The ombudsman was already on his way to the mission when the comment was released.
Why this route
The press service said there are currently two ways to reach Oleshky: across the front line or through the territory of the Russian Federation. Restrictions apply on the front line. There is also no path across the river, as everything is mined and it is a front line.
For that reason, and given the need to ensure the speed and safety of the humanitarian mission, the ombudsman agreed to travel through Russia. The press service stressed that the priority has not changed: the safety of people, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the creation of conditions for civilians to leave Oleshky.
What came before
On Thursday, the Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lubinets had arrived in Gomel, Belarus. From there he flew on, aboard one aircraft, together with Russian representatives.
Lubinets's press service said he is ready to answer all questions once the humanitarian mission is over.
