Zelensky: Russia May Demine Oleshky Roads to Steer Residents East

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Russian occupation forces will clear mines from the roads in Oleshky for the planned humanitarian operation in such a way that residents head toward Russia. He said this in an interview with the TSN-Tyzhden programme, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda on Sunday, October 25.

"Of course, Russia will do everything to demine in such a way (the roads in Oleshky - ed.) that these people (the residents) go in the direction of Russia and stay there," Zelensky said.

"They will not simply let people go"

The president thinks the Russians will not agree to "simply let people go" unconditionally. At the same time, he said, part of the residents will be evacuated one way or another to territory controlled by Ukraine.

"The main thing is how many people are blocked, to unblock them so that they can live. Ideally, they would be able to reach their goal and evacuate to us, to Ukraine, which will certainly provide them with everything and support them," the president said.

Where the operation stands

On Friday evening the Ukrainian and Russian general staffs reported that from the night of October 27 they would introduce a ceasefire in a designated area for a humanitarian operation in temporarily occupied Oleshky. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets later confirmed that the humanitarian operation and ceasefire would take place on October 29. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that Russia agreed to a ceasefire for the humanitarian mission, and the White House said that US first lady Melania Trump had brokered the truce.

Zelensky said earlier that he hopes American mediation will succeed in unblocking Oleshky, but that the situation remains difficult because the Russians have mined the roads. Our earlier coverage: Roads mined, hopes rest on US mediation, and Ukraine and Russia set an Oleshky ceasefire from October 27. More in our world section.