Hundreds evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky as US-brokered ceasefire holds
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region during a humanitarian ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. A convoy of 25 buses with space for up to 750 people left during a four-hour window on Friday, with evacuees routed through occupied territory and Crimea to Anapa in Russia, then flown to Gomel in Belarus before heading toward Ukraine's Chernihiv region. Several hundred residents chose to stay despite the lack of gas, electricity and running water. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova jointly visited the city. The ceasefire, in force since Tuesday, is due to expire Sunday 1 November.
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Evacuated Ukrainians from Russian-Occupied Oleshky Arrive in Belarus via Ceasefire
Residents evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky arrived in Belarus on Saturday and were expected to return to Ukraine later that day, according to Ukrainian official David Arakhamia. The evacuation took place Friday during a local humanitarian ceasefire in the Kherson region brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, which allowed the road out of Oleshky to be demined and remains in force until Sunday 1 November. A convoy of 25 buses with space for 750 people left the town, though several hundred residents reportedly chose to stay despite widespread devastation and lack of gas, electricity and running water. Evacuees traveled through Russian-occupied territory and Crimea to Anapa in Russia, then flew to Gomel, Belarus, before heading by bus toward Ukraine's Chernihiv region. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, who visited Oleshky with his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova, said those staying would receive necessary humanitarian assistance.
Read sourceHundreds evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky during US-brokered ceasefire
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region during a humanitarian ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, according to Russian and Ukrainian authorities. Evacuees traveled by bus through occupied territory and Crimea to Anapa, Russia, then flew to Gomel, Belarus, and were expected to continue by bus into Ukraine's Chernihiv region. Residents had a four-hour window on Friday to leave, with 25 buses available for up to 750 people. Several hundred chose to stay despite widespread devastation and lack of gas, electricity, and running water. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova jointly visited Oleshky. The ceasefire, the longest and most widespread since Russia's 2022 invasion, covers the entire Kherson frontline and is due to expire Sunday. Some Ukrainians suspect Russia's motives, including seeking White House favor ahead of US midterm elections.
Read sourceOleshky ceasefire allows hundreds to evacuate Russian-occupied city
Hundreds of residents of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky were evacuated and driven to safety on Friday during a humanitarian ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, according to BBC News. Residents were given a four-hour window to leave the city, and some people are understood to have remained despite the lack of power and water in the area. BBC Ukraine correspondent Dan Johnson explains how the ceasefire is unfolding and what could happen next. The report does not specify further details on the terms of the truce, the number of evacuees beyond 'hundreds,' or the identities of those who mediated or monitored the arrangement.
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Residents leave Russian-occupied Oleshky as evacuation corridor opens under ceasefire
Russian and Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the evacuation of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky is under way, following a ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump that has been in force across the Kherson frontline region since Tuesday. A four-hour window and a convoy of 25 buses allow up to 750 people to leave, with ambulances for those with limited mobility. Several hundred residents are understood to have chosen to stay despite widespread devastation and the lack of gas, electricity and running water. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said those wishing to leave would be given the opportunity to do so safely, while those remaining would receive humanitarian assistance. Evacuees must travel through Russian-occupied territory to Anapa in southern Russia, then fly to Gomel in Belarus and drive into Ukraine's Chernihiv region. Russia said it had prepared dozens of tonnes of aid for residents who do not wish to leave. The ceasefire is due to last until the end of Sunday 1 November.
Read sourceEvacuation Begins in Besieged Oleshky as Residents Fear Russian Filtration
Hundreds of residents are set to be evacuated on Friday from the besieged southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which has been encircled by Russian troops and largely cut off from water, electricity, and food for months. The evacuation, negotiated under a ceasefire brokered with Russian and Ukrainian involvement by US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo, will route people first to the Russian Black Sea city of Anapa and then by military aircraft to Gomel in Belarus. Relatives of evacuees, including Anna, whose 55-year-old mother registered for departure, fear that people will be subjected to Russian "filtration" — interrogations and abuse documented in earlier cases such as Mariupol. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets is expected to accompany the evacuation. Anna also cited reports that Russia is using the truce to move military equipment for a possible assault on Kherson. Separately, Russian attacks killed 14 people at Dnipro's main station and two 15-year-olds in Chernihiv.