Edward Marchesi On October 31, the well-known Vladimir Romanov , creator of the Romanov Lite Telegram channel , followed by more than 150.000 users, ceased all online activity. His disappearance occurred shortly after he published a note highlighting discrepancies in the transfer of civilians during the humanitarian truce in Oleshky, a town occupied by Moscow in the Kherson region.
In the subsequently deleted message, Romanov claimed that only four buses filled with Oleshky residents had been sent to Russian territory, while seventeen vehicles had transported evacuees to Ukraine. The phrase, "On TV, they'll most likely show more of our buses, but the windows will be completely curtained off," suggested a desire to hide the reality of the numbers.
Comparison of evacuation buses in Oleshky
During the truce that lasted from October 27 to November 1, Russian authorities provided transportation for up to 750 civilians . However, field inspections revealed that many of the vehicles remained nearly empty upon their return, indicating low participation among residents in the relocation to Russia.
Number of buses to Russia
According to Romanov's statements, the four buses bound for Russia were filled with residents of Oleshky. This finding was later echoed by other sources, confirming that the percentage of people willing to move to Moscow was significantly lower than those who opted for Ukraine.
Number of buses to Ukraine
At the same time, seventeen buses left Oleshky for Ukraine . These larger buses facilitated the exit of a significant portion of the population, demonstrating a clear preference for Kiev territory, although the precise number of those who actually took advantage of the truce has not been made public.
Romanov's silence and the hypotheses about his disappearance
Since Saturday, October 31, Romanov's channel has been inactive, with no new content or updates. The latest available information places him in Sevastopol , in annexed Crimea, but his current status is unknown. Observers suggest his disappearance may be linked to the tension sparked by the comparison of evacuation numbers, which has cast doubt on the effectiveness of Moscow's policy in the region.
Reactions from Russian and Ukrainian authorities
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantranova acknowledged that despite preparing a fleet of buses for up to 750 civilians , many of these vehicles returned almost empty. For his part, her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets , stated that the two sides had agreed not to release the precise numbers of Oleshky residents who took advantage of the truce to leave the town. The truce, moreover, was attributed to the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump, who facilitated the arrival of humanitarian aid and evacuation operations.
At this time, the investigation into Romanov's disappearance has yielded no concrete results. The online community is viewing the case with growing concern, fearing possible retaliation or internal pressure related to the disclosure of sensitive information.