Residents of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine have begun returning to Ukrainian-held territory following a rare local ceasefire, marking one of the most significant humanitarian pauses since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The evacuation, which started on October 31, involved hundreds of civilians who had endured severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies during years of conflict and occupation.
The six-day truce, brokered through mediation efforts that included US First Lady Melania Trump and appeals from Pope Leo XIV, enabled the delivery of aid and the safe movement of residents. It represents the longest pause in fighting on this front line since the conflict began over four years ago and is set to conclude on November 1. Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have confirmed that the ceasefire has held without violations, allowing humanitarian operations to proceed.
The population of Oleshky, which numbered around 24,000 before the invasion, had drastically diminished, with Ukrainian authorities estimating approximately 1,700 residents remained before the evacuation. Many faced dire conditions due to disrupted supply lines and ongoing hostilities. Several evacuees recounted having eaten grass and pigeons to survive, while others noted the risks they took, such as traveling through minefields to find food. Some elderly individuals reportedly lost significant weight and required medical treatment due to starvation.
The evacuees traveled a complex route, first moving by bus through Russian-controlled Crimea to the Russian city of Anapa before flying to Belarus, and finally crossing into Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region. Videos shared by Ukrainian officials showed many elderly residents, some on stretchers or in wheelchairs, disembarking from aircraft in Belarus. Buses transporting the evacuees were met at the Ukrainian border by relatives, aid organizations, and government officials. Humanitarian groups including the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and the World Central Kitchen provided food, medical care, heated shelters, and veterinary services for pets brought by evacuees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to those who facilitated the ceasefire and pledged support to the returning residents. “All of them will receive the assistance they need,” he said via social media. The operation was described as a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities.
Despite the temporary truce, fighting and Russian drone attacks continue elsewhere in Ukraine, with recent strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Kyiv, causing power shortages. Diplomatic efforts to resume broader talks between Kyiv and Moscow are scheduled to recommence in November after months of stagnation.
Oleshky remains under Russian occupation, which extends over significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, including Crimea and the Donbas region. While some residents elected to remain within the city despite the conflict and hardships, the evacuation and humanitarian ceasefire offered a critical, albeit brief, relief for those desperate to return to Ukrainian-controlled areas.