Zelenskyy speaks about "human safari" of Russians in Kherson

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported a "particularly difficult situation" in Kherson and the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, in particular in Oleshky. According to him, the evacuation of people from the left bank of the region remains extremely difficult.

The President said this in his evening video address on May 12.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian military had actually organized a"human safari" in Kherson, hunting civilians with drones. The President emphasized the need to strengthen the protection of the city, including increasing the number of interceptors, electronic warfare equipment and crews.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that he had heard a report from Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Viktor Mykyta on the situation in the occupied territory of Kherson region.

In particular, they discussed the situation in Oleshky and other settlements in the region.

"We partially manage to respond to the challenges in the occupied territory of Kherson region, in Oleshky, in the villages of the region. [...] It is very difficult to evacuate people. And it is important that international organizations, all those who can help with this, are involved and active," the President of Ukraine said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced a critical deterioration of the humanitarian situation in certain communities of the temporarily occupied part of Kherson region. First of all, we are talking about Oleshky, Hola Prystan, Stara Zburyivka and Nova Zburyivka, where people are actually on the verge of survival.

As a reminder, the humanitarian situation in the temporarily occupied Oleshky has deteriorated sharply since mid-April. The town has been effectively under siege due to the constant danger and explosions of transportation.

Earlier, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that the situation in Oleshky is a humanitarian catastrophe and a direct consequence of the occupation. He called on the international community to take immediate action and strengthen its response.

In its turn, Ukraine has asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to use its mandate to organize a safe corridor and deliver humanitarian aid.

Андрій Колісніченко