On the temporarily occupied left bank of Kherson region, Russian military forces have effectively blocked the exit from the town of Hola Prystan and created extremely dangerous conditions for movement in the Oleshky area.
Volunteer Ksenia Arkhipova told MOST about this.
According to her, people are not allowed to leave Hola Prystan at all. Drivers are forced to try to get out for several consecutive days, but the occupiers repeatedly refuse without explaining the reasons.
“No one reports to anyone and nothing is justified”, — adds the volunteer.
She also said that the occupiers periodically mine and then clear mines on the road to Hola Prystan. What this is intended for is unknown.
From Oleshky, according to Ksenia, leaving is formally allowed, but the road itself poses a deadly danger – the roads are mined, drones are active, and metal spikes are scattered on the roadway.
“If you haven’t detonated a mine and you weren’t killed by a drone, then you get a flat tire, stop to fix it — and then you may be attacked”, — she says.
In addition, recently an ambulance detonated a mine while leaving Oleshky. Medics were going to get gasoline because the hospital continues to operate on generators.
“The ambulance was going for gasoline and detonated a mine”, — the volunteer says.
According to her, the ambulance also delivered bread and groceries to the town. After that, she says, Russian troops threatened the locals.
“They were told: ‘Die here, all of you, and write less in your public pages about going for gasoline and carrying things. Don’t tell anyone else anymore’”, — the volunteer recounts the locals’ words.
Currently, a humanitarian blockade is effectively ongoing in Oleshky. There is a shortage of food, medicines, and animal feed. Russian troops supply resources only to their units, while the civilian population remains without basic necessities, Arkhipova said.
Despite the danger, residents of the occupied towns continue to seek help with evacuation. At the same time, organizing departures is becoming increasingly difficult and risky.