UN calls humanitarian situation in southern Ukraine "critical"

This is reported on the CNN website.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said humanitarian coordinator Denise Brown visited the two southern cities over the weekend. Brown reported that people fleeing from Kherson are going to Mykolaiv.

"Some heating points have already been established in Mykolaiv to help people who cannot heat their homes. Aid workers are providing supplies and generators to make these places functional," said Dujarric.

However, in Mykolaiv, almost a quarter of a million people face the lack of heat, water and light.

Regarding the situation in Kherson, the UN said that they hope to cover the basic needs of the people in Kherson with the support of the authorities, if it is possible to maintain the same level of aid that was provided during the last two weeks.

"The situation with water, heating and electricity, however, remains dire, although the electricity supply is gradually being restored," the UN representative said.

According to the UN, donors have provided $3.1 billion in humanitarian aid this year, but Dujarric said continued funding is important, especially during the winter months.

"We continue to be concerned about the plight of civilians in Ukraine especially as winter sets in. We are working to support people with services and supplies to make sure they can be protected and keep warm during these harsh months," Dujarric said.

On November 28, a UN delegation visited liberated Kherson

The Security Service of Ukraine also informed about the discovery of another torture chamber of the Russian occupiers, where Kherson citizens were interrogated and brutally tortured. During the inspection, torture law enforcement officers found objects that directly indicate signs of torture," the Ukrainian Security Service writes.

On November 16, the National Police of the Kherson region opened 18 criminal proceedings against the crimes of Russians and local people who cooperated with them.