Evacuated Residents from Occupied Oleshky Arrive in Ukraine via Belarus

Overview of the Evacuation

On Saturday, a group of residents evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky arrived in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine after traveling through southern Russia and Belarus. The evacuation followed a humanitarian ceasefire in the Kherson frontline region that began on Tuesday and is scheduled to remain in place until Sunday, November 1.

According to reports, the city of Oleshky had faced severe conditions since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, with residents lacking food, water, and electricity.

Key Details of the Journey

• Route: Evacuees traveled through Russian-occupied territory to southern Russia, flew to Belarus, and were then driven across Ukraine's northern border.
• Demographics: Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, stated that the oldest evacuee was 94 years old and the youngest was one year old.
• Transport: A convoy of 25 buses and multiple ambulances assisted those with limited mobility, including elderly residents carried on stretchers.

Background and Ceasefire Context

Before the war, Oleshky had a population of 24,000. Conditions in the city had deteriorated significantly, with routes out mined and subject to drone attacks. The recent ceasefire allowed the road out of the city to be cleared of mines and enabled the departure of the convoy on Friday afternoon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US First Lady Melania Trump for efforts in brokering the local ceasefire that facilitated the evacuation. Zelensky also acknowledged Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, who traveled to Oleshky together from the Crimean peninsula.

While hundreds left, some residents chose to remain in the city. Official statements noted that those staying behind would receive humanitarian assistance, with Russia reporting preparations of aid supplies including food, medicine, and fuel.

Verification and Ongoing Developments

Independent verification of all local conditions remains challenging due to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported separate ongoing hostilities, and upcoming ceasefire negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US are reportedly planned in Abu Dhabi in early November. Readers can verify official government announcements through statements published by the Ukrainian presidency and international news organizations.