Russian Forces Moved Heavy Armour Into Oleshky During Ceasefire

Russian soldiers used the recent ceasefire in Oleshky to move heavy armor and ammunition into the occupied town. British broadcaster Sky News released footage showing these movements. The clip was filmed by the Ukrainian 34th Separate Marine Brigade. They monitored the area from their headquarters control center.

Drone videos captured Russian troops entering damaged buildings with large rucksacks. Armored vehicles drove through the streets despite the truce. The footage also showed Russian personnel removing bodies from a hospital morgue. The bodies were placed in double bags and loaded onto a truck. Residents told Sky News that the dead had been killed in violent circumstances rather than natural causes.

Dmytro Pulinets, commander of the 34th Separate Marine Brigade, noted the change in Russian behavior. He said Russian soldiers previously would not have driven through the town in bad weather or at night. Now they move along the routes day and night. Pulinets stated that his unit observed the restoration of artillery systems and the reclaiming of lost positions. Russian forces also brought in fresh reinforcements and built up fuel supplies during the pause in fighting.

The footage revealed that Russian soldiers took aid meant for local residents. They carried white boxes and sacks of rations away for their own use. Sky News reported that the residents had not been allowed to bury the dead. The removal of bodies and supplies suggests the humanitarian mission was not the only priority for the occupying forces.

The ceasefire in the Oleshky area of Kherson Oblast lasted from 03:00 on October 27 until 22:59 on November 1. Ukraine's General Staff said Russian forces used this time to rotate units and strengthen anti-drone protection. The evacuation route for residents passed through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 31 that all evacuated citizens had crossed into Chernihiv Oblast.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner, announced the end of the ceasefire on the evening of November 1. He stated that both sides had fulfilled their obligations during the period. Pulinets described the outcome as mixed. He called the evacuation vital but noted that his brigade faces a heavy workload once the humanitarian convoys leave and military operations resume.