Zelenskyy: Russia used humanitarian operation in Oleshky for major troop rotation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia's military used a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, a city in Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, as cover for a major rotation of personnel and equipment on the left bank of the Dnipro River. According to him, additional occupation forces were brought into the city and the surrounding hromada, an administrative unit that can include a village, several villages or a town with adjacent territory. Zelenskyy published the statement on X after a meeting with the heads of regional administrations.

Protecting Kherson residents

Zelenskyy said Ukraine's military leadership is to present proposals on how to better protect Kherson residents from Russian attacks.

Other regions

The president also outlined the results of the meeting for other oblasts. Ukrainian forces in Sumy Oblast have received specific tasks to counter Russian operations. Participants also discussed winter preparations for critical infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast and efforts to restore electricity in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after Russian strikes. The state of the power system in Zhytomyr Oblast was reviewed separately, and the Ministry of Energy was given a specific task on the matter.

Zelenskyy also reported that Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks on Kramatorsk and the surrounding hromada. Countermeasures are due to be decided at a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

Earlier context

Zelenskyy previously said that the ceasefire experience in Oleshky shows a truce can be established quickly, without lengthy preparations, the withdrawal of weapons or the creation of buffer zones.