Russia may exploit the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky to supply its troops, says Andriushchenko

Russia may attempt to exploit the humanitarian crisis in the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region to resupply its military units, which are terrorizing the civilian population of Kherson. Specifically, this involves the possible organization of a pseudo-humanitarian convoy.

The situation in Oleshky has not only a humanitarian but also a military dimension. Russian troops stationed in the city are facing supply problems, particularly with food. At the same time, Andriushchenko emphasized that these are the very units that are terrorizing the civilian population of Kherson.

“The Russians are now trying to exploit the situation in Oleshky to their advantage. And this isn’t about public humanitarian messaging; it’s primarily about the military aspect. Because just as our civilians are not receiving the necessary humanitarian aid—which is absolutely deplorable—there is another aspect that we certainly shouldn’t forget: the disruption of supplies, including food, to Russian troops,” he noted.

Andriushchenko believes that the Russian side could take advantage of the publicity surrounding the humanitarian situation in Oleshky to organize a so-called humanitarian convoy. According to him, under the guise of delivering aid and food to the civilian population, they could simultaneously supply Russian troops.

“Therefore, the situation is twofold, and the Russians are now trying, precisely by exploiting this publicity, to organize a pseudo-humanitarian convoy that will travel ostensibly to deliver food but will also supply Russian troops with necessary goods and equipment,” emphasized the head of the Center for the Study of the Occupation.

According to Andriushchenko, allowing a Russian humanitarian convoy to enter without the participation and oversight of third parties could create additional risks for Ukraine.

“It’s unclear how Russia would do this without the involvement or oversight of third parties. And in such a way that we don’t create a problem for ourselves on the front lines. Because we have to think about this too and must not forget it. And our priorities are, first and foremost, military,” he stressed.

According to the expert, Ukraine must insist that the humanitarian corridor to Oleshky operate not only with Russia’s participation but also under the supervision of international humanitarian organizations.

“So we really should insist that it’s not just Russia that should ensure the humanitarian corridor, but that this humanitarian corridor should be ensured by international humanitarian organizations,” Andriushchenko said.

He noted that the relevant mechanisms already exist. In particular, the International Red Cross is represented in Russia and has the capacity to operate there.

“Such mechanisms do exist. Therefore, we need to push for them to be implemented, rather than letting them remain merely at the level of statements or declarations,” Andriushchenko concluded.

Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of the Occupation, made these remarks on the program “Ukrainian Focus: Morning” on Slawa.TV and Espreso.

As a reminder, Russian occupation forces are preparing a large-scale information campaign in the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky, involving the forced filming of staged videos with civilians; therefore, they must cease these manipulations and open humanitarian corridors. This was reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.

Russia plans to conduct a series of staged video shoots in the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. According to intelligence reports, the aim is to create the illusion of a supposedly prosperous life for local residents.

As a reminder, Russian troops confiscated food supplies that Ukrainian forces had airdropped to local residents in the occupied town of Oleshky. Furthermore, the possession of non-Russian food products could serve as grounds for detention on charges of alleged collaboration with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

As a reminder, approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky.

The Ukrainian military used drones to deliver about 4 metric tons of food to residents of occupied Oleshky. The humanitarian aid was distributed among 100 designated locations in the city.

Russian units involved in the blockade of the city have been deployed in occupied Oleshky.