Evacuation Efforts Begin in Occupied Oleshky as Ukraine Launches Humanitarian Mission

Oleshky, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Ukrainian officials have commenced a significant evacuation operation in the city of Oleshky, located in the Kherson region and currently under Russian control. A delegation from Ukraine safely arrived in the city to facilitate the process, as confirmed by a senior official from the Ukrainian parliament on Friday.

David Arakhamia, head of the parliamentary faction of the ruling party “Servant of the People,” shared updates via Telegram, stating that humanitarian aid supplies are being distributed in Oleshky. He noted, “The ceasefire remains in effect. Further information will be provided later.”

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Korotky announced plans to transport 527 individuals from Oleshky to areas under Ukrainian control. The evacuated citizens will be routed through Belarus, where they will undergo health checks, receive first aid, and have access to essential supplies and housing.

Approximately 2,000 residents currently remain in Oleshky, which has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. The ongoing conflict has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and other vital goods in the city.

In a collaborative effort, both Russia and Ukraine dispatched representatives to Oleshky on Thursday to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safe evacuation of civilians. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the operation is underway, with a plane dispatched from Moscow as part of the initiative, which also includes efforts to clear landmines.

Yana Lantratova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, emphasized that their primary goal is to deliver relief supplies to those trapped in the city and to secure safe passage for those wishing to leave. Meanwhile, a delegation led by Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets traveled to Oleshky on Thursday, prioritizing the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safe evacuation of local residents.

Lubinets highlighted that the mission was made possible through an agreement with Lantratova and coordination with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Oleshky is situated across the Dnipro River from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson. Following the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the area, a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon to facilitate aid delivery and civilian evacuation.

According to Russian sources, this ceasefire will remain in effect until November 1 at 10:59 PM Moscow time.