Evacuation lists have been compiled for residents of Oleshky to help them escape the occupation

In the occupied town of Oleshky, lists of residents who wish to evacuate have been compiled and are currently being verified. At the same time, in the Kherson region, the ombudsman most frequently receives complaints regarding people missing in action, prisoners of war, destroyed homes, and social benefits.

This was reported by Vasyl Donets, the Ombudsman’s representative in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, during an appearance on the Vgoru program.

According to him, the Ombudsman’s office is working not only on individual complaints but also on resolving systemic issues. In particular, they have managed to implement remote inspections of destroyed homes, as commissions cannot operate in areas of active combat due to the threat of shelling.

A separate area of focus concerns civilians and prisoners of war. Following the replacement of the Russian ombudsman, previous agreements were restored, and work began on developing new mechanisms for cooperation, particularly regarding the transfer of documents.

Preparations are also underway for the possible evacuation of residents from the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky. Lists of those wishing to leave have already been compiled and are currently being verified. Once this process is complete, a decision will be made on opening an evacuation route.

Commenting on the new law on the protection of IDPs’ rights, Donets noted that the document defines only the general principles of state policy. In his view, IDPs first and foremost need a clear support mechanism with guarantees regarding housing, employment, and social adaptation.

He also advised property owners in the occupied territories who have learned of attempts to illegally “nationalize” their property to contact the police and the Ombudsman’s office to document the violations. This could serve as grounds for receiving compensation in the future.

According to estimates, about 2,000 people remain in the occupied town of Oleshky, and up to 6,000 in the entire community. The Ombudsman’s representative described the situation there as a humanitarian catastrophe and urged those who are able to do so to evacuate.

On July 16, Ukraine called on the Vatican to help establish a humanitarian corridor for evacuation from the Russian-occupied towns of Oleshky and Hola Prystan on the left bank of the Kherson region.

Анна Бальчінос