Some Oleshky residents remain seeking evacuation, others still on the road to Ukraine, Lubinets says

Some residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky remain reluctant to evacuate, while others who were evacuated during a recent humanitarian mission are still traveling toward Ukrainian territory, according to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Dmytro Lubinets stated this during a press conference on November 2, following a review of the Oleshky humanitarian mission's results.

He personally conversed with citizens who opted to stay in Oleshky, noting that their decision was intentional. He acknowledged that residents expressed satisfaction with their choice, as they received provisions like food, water, medications, fuel for generators, and hospital supplies. Oleshky residents reported to the Kyiv Independent at the border on October 31 that some individuals who chose to stay there later regretted not having departed.

Those who remain now express regret they did not join the evacuation. Among those seeking evacuation is an animal rescuer caring for approximately 70 animals, as reported by Ukrainian outlet Hromadske on November 2. She was unable to leave due to the number of animals she was looking after. The exact number of people still residing in Oleshky cannot be determined at this time, Lubinets stated when asked by the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine is also unable to disclose the number of evacuees as per an agreement with Russia.