Lubinets says he is travelling to occupied Oleshky via Russia because there is no other route
Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets agreed to a route through Russia to reach occupied Oleshky. His press office says there is no other option for the humanitarian mission.
Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has agreed to travel to the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region by a route that passes through Russian territory. His press office told the outlet Ukrainska Pravda that there is no other way to reach the city. The explanation followed reports of the ombudsman's trip via Belarus and Russia.
Why this route was chosen
According to the press office, there are currently two possible ways to get to Oleshky: across the front line or through the Russian Federation. Restrictions apply on the front line. There is also no way across the river, because everything there is mined and it is the front line. Given the situation and the need to ensure the speed and safety of the humanitarian mission, the ombudsman therefore accepted the route through Russia.
The press office stressed that the priority has not changed: the safety of people, the delivery of humanitarian aid and creating conditions for civilians to leave Oleshky.
Lubinets' team said the ombudsman is ready to answer all questions once the humanitarian mission is over.
What came before
On Thursday, the Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lubinets had arrived in the Belarusian city of Gomel. From there he flew on, aboard a single aircraft, together with Russian representatives.
The source text does not specify which Russian representatives are involved, how long the mission is expected to last, or when civilians are to be evacuated.
