34 Kherson communities face conditions as critical as Oleshky, Ukrainian officials say
Kherson regional official Oleksandr Prokudin said 34 communities face conditions as critical as Oleshky, where nearly 800 people were evacuated during a humanitarian mission. Residents in the most affected areas lack gas and electricity and face shortages of water, food and humanitarian aid. Ukraine and Russia are reportedly discussing possible new evacuation missions.
Key points
- 34 settlements in Kherson region face critical conditions similar to Oleshky, according to Oleksandr Prokudin.
- Another 58 settlements have conditions of medium criticality within a 20-kilometre zone on the left bank of the Dnieper.
- Affected communities lack gas and electricity and face problems with water, food delivery and humanitarian aid.
- Nearly 800 people were evacuated from Oleshky during a humanitarian mission, Melania Trump said.
- Russian forces returned to positions in Oleshky during the ceasefire that Ukrainian defenders had retaken over nearly a year earlier, Prokudin said.
- Prokudin said a full evacuation of Kherson is not currently necessary and warned that winter will be very difficult.
- Ukraine and Russia are discussing possible new humanitarian missions, Dmytro Lubinets said.
Why it matters
The crisis affects civilians across numerous communities where people lack electricity, gas, water and reliable access to food and humanitarian aid. The return of Russian forces to positions in Oleshky during the ceasefire raises concerns about residents' safety and the feasibility of future evacuation missions, while the approaching winter is expected to further worsen conditions.
What happened
During a several-day ceasefire at the end of October, a humanitarian mission was conducted in Oleshky and nearly 800 people were evacuated. Prokudin said Russian occupying forces returned during the ceasefire to positions that Ukrainian defenders had retaken over nearly a year earlier. He identified Rybalke, Zburivka, Nova Zburivka, Hola Prystan and other settlements along the Dnieper as far as Velyka Lepetykha among the 34 communities with critical conditions. In these areas, gas and electricity are unavailable, while residents also face problems with water, food delivery and humanitarian assistance. Another 58 settlements within a 20-kilometre zone on the left bank have conditions of medium criticality. Prokudin said residents may manage partially through summer using their gardens, but winter will be very difficult. Ukraine and Russia are discussing possible new humanitarian missions.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on deteriorating conditions in Kherson communities, the lack of basic services and aid, the evacuation from Oleshky and the return of Russian forces to previously contested positions. Possible new humanitarian missions and the approaching winter are presented as immediate concerns, while a full evacuation of Kherson is not currently regarded as necessary.
Background
The humanitarian mission in Oleshky was carried out under a several-day ceasefire that began at the end of October. The 58 settlements assessed as having medium criticality lie within a 20-kilometre zone on the left bank of the Dnieper. Melania Trump did not specify how many evacuees reached Ukrainian-controlled territory.