Russian forces cleaned up occupied Oleshky ahead of journalists’ visit, sources tell hromadske

Oleksandra Knyha, head of the Wings Foundation charity, which maintains contact with Oleshky residents and their families, said locals noticed the cleanup when they went to register at the town’s hospital during the first days of a temporary ceasefire.

“They removed the bodies and cleared away all the garbage,” Knyha said, recounting what residents had told her. “People were genuinely happy because, for the first time in a very long time, the bodies and garbage had been cleared away. They hadn't seen the town like that in ages.”

Hromadske previously reported that approximately 100 bodies had been stored in the basement of the local hospital, some since last winter. Residents described an unbearable smell near the building. According to hromadske's information, the humanitarian mission may also evacuate the remains of people who died or were killed in the town.

Mariam Lambert, CEO of the Emile Foundation charity, separately reported, citing an Oleshky resident, that streets were being cleaned and curbs painted to prepare the town for cameras.

Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said journalists from Ukraine, Russia and the United States were accompanying the humanitarian mission. Footage of Lubinets speaking to reporters in Russian-occupied Crimea showed microphones belonging to Russian state propaganda outlets and the US network Newsmax.

The Ukrainian and Russian human rights commissioners have released initial footage of the mission meeting Oleshky residents. According to the officials, residents are being offered assistance to leave for either Ukrainian-controlled territory or Russia, depending on their preference.