KYIV — Four planes carrying residents evacuated from the Russian-controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky landed in Belarus on Saturday (Oct 31), marking the first major humanitarian operation in the war-torn region in nearly five years. The evacuees, who traveled via Crimea and Russia before flying to Belarus, are expected to reach Ukrainian-held territory later the same day, according to Ukrainian and Belarusian officials.
The evacuation followed a four-day ceasefire brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, which began on Tuesday and allowed for demining operations, food deliveries, and the safe passage of civilians. The truce, described as the longest humanitarian pause since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, remained in effect through Sunday evening.
Immediate Developments
The evacuation operation involved 25 buses transporting up to 750 people from Oleshky on Friday, with ambulances provided for those with limited mobility. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that hundreds of residents chose to stay, despite the town’s devastated infrastructure and lack of basic services. Those who left were given the option to travel to Ukrainian- or Russian-held territory or remain in Oleshky with replenished supplies.
The evacuees followed a complex route: they traveled by bus through Crimea to the Russian town of Anapa, then flew to Gomel, Belarus, before proceeding to Ukraine via a border crossing. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia stated that all Ukrainian citizens evacuated from Oleshky, accompanied by a Ukrainian delegation, would be on Ukrainian territory within hours of the final plane’s arrival in Belarus.
Ceasefire Details and Logistics
The ceasefire, which began at 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, allowed for joint demining efforts and the delivery of food, medicine, and other supplies to Oleshky. Supply routes had been disrupted for months, with residents reporting food shortages since May. The operation was coordinated by both Russian and Ukrainian authorities, with oversight from international observers.
Russian human rights ombudsman Yana Lantratova and Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets jointly confirmed the evacuation’s smooth execution, noting high levels of organization. Belarusian state media reported that a convoy of buses carrying the evacuees had departed from Gomel airport toward the Ukrainian border.
Humanitarian Impact and Public Response
Relatives and volunteers, including teams from the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and World Central Kitchen, gathered at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to welcome the evacuees. Aid stations, coffee stands, and provisions for pets were set up to assist families separated for over two years. One evacuee, Liza Paliy, recounted reuniting with her father after 2.5 years apart.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the ceasefire’s primary goal was to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, where residents faced starvation and exhaustion. The operation was framed as a rare example of cooperation between the warring parties, though the long-term sustainability of such pauses remains uncertain.
Broader Context of the Conflict
Oleshky, a town in Ukraine’s Kherson region, has been under Russian control since the early days of the war. The city’s infrastructure has been severely damaged, with reports of disrupted gas, electricity, and water supplies. The evacuation operation comes amid ongoing negotiations for localized truces in other frontline areas, though broader peace talks remain stalled.
International observers have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire as a positive step, but concerns persist about the safety of those who remained in Oleshky. Ukrainian authorities have pledged continued humanitarian assistance to residents who chose to stay, while Russian officials have not provided further details on their plans for the town.
The operation’s success has raised questions about the feasibility of future humanitarian missions in the conflict zone, with calls from Russian and Ukrainian representatives for Melania Trump’s continued involvement in coordinating such efforts.