Oleshky Residents Leave for Ukraine, Russia as Truce Holds for 87 Hours

Residents who chose to leave Russian-occupied Oleshky are now on their way to Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said on Friday evening, Oct. 30.

The evacuation convoys had split up after leaving the town, he said, noting that he was traveling with the ground bound for Ukraine.

“The ceasefire has now lasted 87 hours,” Lubinets said. “No violations have been recorded.” 

The evacuation of civilians from Oleshky in southern Ukraine began earlier on Friday, alongside the distribution of humanitarian aid, as part of a US-brokered ceasefire, officials from both countries said.

“Evacuation and distribution of humanitarian aid have begun,” Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said on social media.

Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, arrived to oversee the operation, which follows weeks of negotiations and preparations.

The operation is being coordinated by the two countries’ human rights commissioners, with mediation and coordination from US First Lady Melania Trump.

Lubinets said in a Telegram post on Thursday evening that de-mining along designated routes had been completed and the convoy was ready to depart. It was expected to reach the town’s central hospital, where residents would receive assistance.

The operation is being coordinated by Ukrainian and Russian human rights commissioners, Lubinets said, with the involvement of the US.

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People wishing to leave Oleshky would be given an opportunity to evacuate by 2 p.m. on Friday, while humanitarian aid distribution was scheduled to begin after 2:30 p.m., he added.

In a second Telegram update on Friday morning, Lubinets said the delegations were in Armyansk, in Russian-occupied Crimea, coordinating the mission with his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova.

Arakhamia later reported that the Ukrainian delegation, accompanied by evacuated residents of Oleshky, was heading to Anapa. From there, they were expected to fly to Belarus before continuing home by bus.

A total of 25 buses with capacity for 750 passengers had been prepared for the evacuation, along with ambulances for people with limited mobility.

Particular attention would be given to elderly people, people with disabilities, and others unable to care for themselves, Lubinets said. Residents choosing to remain in Oleshky would also receive humanitarian assistance.

He thanked Melania Trump for her mediation and coordination, saying the priority was to ensure aid reached civilians and that anyone wishing to leave could do so safely.

Russian state television channel Izvestia also reported on a meeting between Lubinets and Lantratova, releasing nighttime footage showing the two officials wearing patches with their respective national flags.

“Is everything all right?” Lantratova asked in Russian in the clip. “Yes, we were warmly welcomed,” Lubinets replied in Ukrainian.

Russian newspaper Izvestia reported on Friday that the convoy was moving towards Oleshky, accompanied by journalists from France, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, and the US.

Lantratova said the ceasefire was holding to allow the humanitarian operation to proceed. She also confirmed that 25 buses were ready to evacuate residents, including those with pets.

She said two people had been killed during the demining operation around Oleshky.

Russian forces seized Oleshky, in the southern Kherson region, shortly after launching their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The town has remained under Russian occupation, with residents facing severe shortages and difficult humanitarian conditions.

Ceasefire holds – humanitarian mission moves forward

The localized ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on Tuesday, Oct. 27, two days ahead of the originally announced schedule, following an agreement mediated by Melania Trump. It is due to remain in force until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1, according to Ukrainian officials.

Under the agreement, both sides committed to suspending military operations in and around Oleshky to allow de-mining, humanitarian deliveries, and civilian evacuations.

The arrangements also provide for safe passage for humanitarian convoys in the wider Kherson region, according to the White House announcement.

Lubinets said on Tuesday, Oct. 27 that both sides were observing the ceasefire and that no violations had been reported. Russia’s defense ministry separately confirmed that its forces had halted fire in the Kherson sector to facilitate the humanitarian operation.

In a subsequent Telegram update on Thursday, Oct. 29, Lubinets said the ceasefire had held for 54 hours without recorded violations, while de-mining teams continued clearing designated routes ahead of the aid delivery.