Ukraine's ombudsman asks for information on Oleshky residents needing help

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights (the ombudsman), has asked people to report to his office about residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region who need help. The appeal comes ahead of a humanitarian operation in the city, for which Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire.

Lubinets said on social media that he is in constant contact with all parties involved, relevant state bodies and local authorities. He said it is especially important to obtain information about elderly people, people with limited mobility and those unable to look after themselves.

How to send information

Information can be sent to the ombudsman's office via WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram at +38 067 717 51 70, +38 073 719 81 34 and +38 067 182 55 04. Lubinets also asked people to share the appeal. He said the office is ready to process every request and do everything possible to help Ukrainian citizens.

Background

The Ukrainian and Russian general staffs said on Friday evening that a ceasefire would take effect in a designated area from the night of 27 October to allow a humanitarian operation in temporarily occupied Oleshky. The White House said US First Lady Melania Trump had brokered the truce between Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia had agreed to a ceasefire for the humanitarian mission. Lubinets, for his part, confirmed that the operation and ceasefire are set for 29 October.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he hopes US mediation to unblock the city will work, but that the situation remains difficult because Russian forces have mined the roads. The city is described as suffering a humanitarian catastrophe.