Lubinets disputes Ukraine’s military reports of Russian troop buildup near Oleshky

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has dismissed claims that Russia deployed additional forces near Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, despite reports from Ukraine's General Staff. In response to a query from NV journalist Serhii Okunev, Lubinets clarified that a ban on such actions was not just discussed, but also written down.

He mentioned that a four-person working group, comprising two ombudsmen and two representatives, monitored the ceasefire continuously once it took effect. The group consisted of an SBU representative and a Russian ombudswoman, who consolidated information from Ukrainian Defense Forces. Despite drone footage showing military equipment movement, Lubinets claimed that the footage featured equipment marked with red crosses, indicating it was for demining operations.

The Russian side had confirmed this, and the equipment returned to its bases afterward. Lubinets stated there was no evidence of weapons being deployed under the guise of the ceasefire or any other similar activities. Reports have surfaced suggesting Russian forces may have used the ceasefire to set up new firing positions, rotate troops, and restock ammunition on the left bank of the Dnipro River.

Ukraine's human rights ombudsman emphasized that no shelling had occurred since the ceasefire began, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the completion of the humanitarian evacuation operation on Oct. 31.