Ukraine and Russia launched a "new format" of cooperation to evacuate civilians from Russian-occupied territories. This arrangement allows vulnerable groups to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory every week, according to human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. On November 12, 16 Ukrainians returned under this new arrangement. The process includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist with the movement of older people, people with limited mobility, and those in need of medical assistance.
Weekly evacuations from Kherson Oblast
The deal follows an evacuation from Oleshky in Kherson Oblast where Russian and Ukrainian forces observed a ceasefire. U.S. First Lady Melania Trump helped broker this deal after Moscow previously blocked efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor. Many civilians died trying to flee the city on their own before this arrangement. Lubinets reached this agreement through talks with Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova. While requests come from all occupied territories, the ombudsman receives the most requests from Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Prisoner exchanges and captives
Kyiv and Moscow maintain regular cooperation regarding prisoner exchanges. Lubinets says 486 Ukrainian women remain in Russian captivity. The priority for exchange includes seriously wounded or ill prisoners and Ukrainian women, who include both military personnel and civilians. In the latest prisoner exchange, 86 Ukrainians convicted by Russian courts were released. This remains difficult because Russian authorities frequently accuse captured Ukrainian soldiers of crimes they did not commit. An exchange on October 23 secured the release of two men held since 2018 and 2020. Ukrainian authorities say up to 16,000 Ukrainians are considered missing.
