LUGANSK, October 13. /TASS/. Ukrainian forces are striking Alyoshki in the Kherson Region around the clock while trying to blame the Russian army for the humanitarian disaster in the town, military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS.

Earlier, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said a blockade imposed by Ukrainian forces had caused the humanitarian crisis in Alyoshki. Ukrainian drones constantly hovering over roads and remotely laid mines prevent aid deliveries, she said. Lantratova stressed that Russia would do everything possible to save residents and that "difficult negotiations are underway to arrange humanitarian deliveries and evacuate people in need of urgent assistance."

"Alyoshki has been under regular shelling by Ukrainian militants for a very long time, despite the absence of Russian troops and the presence of civilians only. Antonovka, on the northern bank of the Dnieper River, where the Antonovsky Bridge once crossed the river, is on high ground, while Alyoshki lies in a low-lying area. So, there is simply no reason for our troops to be there," Marochko said.

"Ukrainian militants, however, have repeatedly tried to cross the Dnieper at this bridge using various watercraft and, naturally, establish a foothold on the southern bank. They even set up fortified firing positions there, but our troops drove them out. In this situation, Ukrainian militants are trying to deceive the international community by claiming that Russia caused a humanitarian disaster in Alyoshki. In fact, the situation is exactly the opposite: militants monitor the town around the clock using drones. They strike whenever they see any movement," the expert stressed.