Council of Europe warns of critical humanitarian situation in Russian-occupied Oleshky

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty has warned that the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast is deteriorating rapidly and called for humanitarian access and the safe evacuation of civilians.

O'Flaherty said he is deeply concerned by the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Oleshky.

He said civilians, including children, are trapped without adequate supplies of food, medicines, medical care, water or electricity.

"Under international humanitarian law, Russia, as the occupying power, has the duty to provide food and medical supplies and to facilitate humanitarian relief," he said.

O'Flaherty called for an immediate ceasefire in the area, unhindered access for humanitarian organisations and the safe evacuation of civilians.

"The hardship and suffering of people caught along the front lines of the war and in occupied territories demand international attention and action."

At the end of March, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, said the Russian-occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast is "not living, but surviving".

Ukraine's 34th Marine Brigade posted a video showing temporarily occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, describing it as "a city the Russians have turned into a ghost town".