Photo: President Of Ukraine / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Evacuees Cross Into Ukraine Following Rare Truce
Exhausted residents from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky have crossed into Ukraine during a major civilian evacuation. The operation followed a six-day humanitarian ceasefire covering the town, marking the longest local pause in fighting since the 2022 full-scale invasion. The truce was reached through mediation efforts by US First Lady Melania Trump and assistance from Pope Leo XIV.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on X that citizens from Oleshky crossed the border in the Chernihiv region. He thanked the United States and the first lady for their mediation, while noting that further steps toward de-escalation and peace are still needed.
Tough Journey and Severe Shortages
Supply routes to Oleshky had previously been disrupted by fighting and drones. Residents reported that food deliveries halted in May, leaving hundreds facing starvation. Evacuees shared severe accounts of their experiences:
- An elderly man in a wheelchair stated he lost 20 kilograms over the past year and required hospital treatment.
- Evacuee Svitlana Yermakova recounted eating grass and squash to survive, and risking bicycle rides through minefields to find food.
To reach Ukrainian-held territory, residents traveled a complex route from the front-line town. They took a bus across Crimea to the Russian town of Anapa, flew to Belarus, and finally crossed into Ukraine.
Reunions and Ongoing Assistance
At the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, evacuees wrapped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags stepped off buses to reunite with family members. Officials greeted them with welcome signs, while local residents lined the highway waving flags and flashlights. Ambulances and large military tents were set up to provide hot meals, tea, and medical aid.
The ceasefire has allowed officials to de-mine roads and deliver food and medicines to Oleshky. However, some residents chose to stay despite ongoing shortages of gas, electricity, and running water. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova stated that living conditions remain difficult and noted plans to continue working with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets on future humanitarian missions.
Before the evacuation, Oleshky's population had dropped from an estimated pre-war total of 24,000 down to roughly 1,700. Officials have not specified the exact number of people evacuated. Meanwhile, fighting and drone attacks continue in other sectors of the front line.
Source: Ukrainian evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky reunite with family