Residents leave devastated Russian-occupied Oleshky as evacuation corridor opens

Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova travelled to Oleshky together on Friday. Lantratova later posted a video on social media from the town, saying people were given the chance to form two groups depending on whether they wanted to be taken to Russian-controlled territory or to Ukraine.

In videos posted by his own social media account, Lubinets can be seen meeting tearful locals. "The problem is that a lot of people are staying," he can be heard saying. "I was told that it was their own choice, we will do everything possible for the humanitarian aid to arrive."

Russia said on Thursday that it had prepared "dozens of tonnes" of aid for the residents who do not wish to leave, including food, medicine, hygiene products and fuel for generators.