In brief
A Ukrainian delegation reached Oleshky in the Kherson region on the front line, and the evacuation of residents has begun under a temporary ceasefire. 527 people are expected to return to Ukrainian‑controlled territory via Belarus; they will receive medical examinations, care, supplies, and accommodation. The operation follows an agreement between Ukrainian and Russian human‑rights officials and is supported by the U.S. First Lady.
Oleshky, a town on the left bank of the Dnieper River in Ukraine’s Kherson region, has been under Russian control since February 2022 and is facing shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies amid continued fighting. A Ukrainian delegation has safely reached the town, and the evacuation of residents has begun under a temporary ceasefire, Ukrainian officials said on October 30.
The delegation, led by Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, reached Oleshky on Thursday as part of a humanitarian mission. Lubinets said the mission was made possible by an agreement with Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova, with the support and coordination of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
David Arakhamia, chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, posted on the messaging platform Telegram that humanitarian aid was being distributed in the town and that the ceasefire “remains in effect.” He added that further details “will follow.”
“The ceasefire remains in effect. Further details will follow,” David Arakhamia said on Telegram.
Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said that 527 people from Oleshky were expected to return to Ukrainian‑controlled territory. The evacuees will enter Ukraine from Belarus, where they will undergo medical examinations, receive initial medical care, and be provided with essential supplies and accommodation upon arrival.
According to U.S.‑based Interfax‑Ukraine, about 2,000 people remain currently in Oleshky, a figure that places the town in the middle of the humanitarian crisis facing the region. The temporary ceasefire, which was agreed on by Ukrainian and Russian officials, is scheduled to remain in effect until 10:59 p.m. Moscow time (take‑90‑57 GMT) on November 1.
The arrangement follows a series of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian human‑rights bodies aimed at facilitating aid deliveries and civilian evacuations in the front line area. The ceasefire’s duration is part of a broader strategy to provide relief to people trapped behind the front line while avoiding major hostilities.
Oleshky’s residents have lived under a continuous threat of artillery and small‑arms fire, and local officials have reported severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The humanitarian operation is intended to address these shortages while the ceasefire holds, allowing aid convoys to pass through the town with relative safety.
Additionally Forbes reported that the evacuation plan lifts about 500 people each day, aiming to clear the town of civilians before re‑reinforcing Russian positions. The plan’s success has been noted by Ukrainian officials who emphasize the importance of a coordinated approach to civilian safety in a contested zone.
As the ceasefire approaches its deadline at 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1, Ukrainian authorities plan to continue monitoring the situation and de‑brief evacuees after they are processed into resettlement locations. The evacuation operation has been in the spotlight for its potential to set a precedent for other frontline towns facing similar crises.
