Evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky have been reunited with their families after crossing into Ukrainian-held territory under the terms of a temporary truce. The humanitarian operation, which began on Friday and continued into Saturday, marked the most significant ceasefire in the region since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
The ceasefire in the southern Kherson region commenced early Tuesday and was scheduled to last until Sunday evening. According to Ukrainian authorities, the truce facilitated the safe evacuation of civilians from Oleshky, a city that has been under Russian control since early in the conflict. Although officials have not publicly disclosed exact numbers, it is believed that hundreds of residents accepted evacuation offers, while approximately 2,000 people remained in the city.
Evacuees traveled by bus and plane through routes crossing Russian and Belarusian territory before reaching Ukrainian-controlled areas near the border with Belarus. Upon arrival, they were greeted by family members, volunteers, and humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and World Central Kitchen, which provided food, medical aid, and support for pets accompanying the evacuees.
Many of those who departed had endured severe hardships under occupation. Ivan Yevhenovych, 48, described the conditions in Oleshky as increasingly perilous, citing frequent drone strikes, landmines, and severe shortages of staple food since the spring. Some residents chose to remain behind, citing attachment to their homes and animals, despite challenges and the offer of replenished supplies.
Among those reunited was 19-year-old Liza Paliy, who last saw her father more than two and a half years ago before fleeing the occupied city with her mother and sister. “We thought at that time that it would be a month, two maximum, and we would return, but unfortunately two years have already passed,” she said.
The truce and evacuation were reportedly facilitated through diplomatic efforts, with the White House crediting former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for helping broker the localized agreement. Pope Leo XIV also reportedly urged both Russia and Ukraine to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuations during the ceasefire.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, called the operation a significant achievement. He noted the evacuees ranged from infants to the elderly, some bringing pets including dogs, cats, a parrot, and even a raccoon. Lubinets expressed hope that the Oleshky ceasefire could serve as a model for future humanitarian responses in the ongoing conflict.
Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, confirmed the agreement to conduct regular humanitarian missions in and around Oleshky but highlighted that living conditions in the city remain difficult. She noted that some evacuees who chose to move into Russian-held areas were taken to temporary shelters in Simferopol, located in the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
While the truce was limited in both duration and scope, the evacuation operation represents an important humanitarian milestone amid continued fighting in the region. Ukrainian authorities have emphasized the importance of protecting those who remain in occupied areas and maintaining safe corridors for future aid delivery and civilian movement.