Oleshky evacuees return to Ukraine under Melania’s ceasefire
The ceasefire allowed roads to be cleared and aid delivered as hundreds of residents crossed back after months of food shortages and shelling.
- On Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, hundreds of residents evacuated Russian-occupied Oleshky, crossing into Ukraine after traveling by bus through Crimea and Russia, then flying to Belarus before reaching the border.
- The localized truce began Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV, marking the longest pause in fighting since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
- Evacuees traveled by bus to Anapa, Russia, then flew to Gomel, Belarus, where Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, personally escorted residents throughout the multi-leg journey to the border.
- Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders volunteers provided medical aid at the border reception, with many elderly evacuees arriving on stretchers or in wheelchairs requiring immediate care.
- Lubinets and Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova agreed to continue similar humanitarian missions, potentially establishing a framework for addressing crises elsewhere along the front line.
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The evacuation was made possible by the first humanitarian ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in over four years.
Well, it is possible: in cooperation, the Ukrainian and Russian military evacuated the fiercely contested city of Olezhky. The USA was also involved in it. This little message could make a difference.
During the ceasefire in the occupied town of Oleshky, residents could choose to evacuate to areas controlled by either Russia or Ukraine. Most chose Ukraine, but many stayed behind. Now there are fears that the ceasefire, which has been described as a great success, will turn into more intense fighting. “It will escalate,” says Zhanna, who has just been reunited with her husband.
Exclusive TF1/LCI: images of the evacuation of the inhabitants of Olechky, Ukraine (International).
Hundreds Return to Ukraine From Russian-Occupied Oleshky After Rare US-Brokered Ceasefire
Hundreds of civilians evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region arrived in Ukrainian-controlled territory on October 31 following a humanitarian operation facilitated by US First Lady Melania Trump and a temporary ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
A multi-day ceasefire allows the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the Russian-occupied front city of Oleschky. The ceasefire was provided by US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo.
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