Civilians evacuate Russian-occupied Oleshky during rare local ceasefire

OPA WIRE, Oct 30 (OPA) — A convoy of 25 buses and several ambulances arrived in Oleshky on Friday to transport residents toward Ukrainian-controlled territory. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia stated that evacuees are traveling to Anapa, with plans to transit through Belarus before reaching their final destination in Ukraine. The operation marks a brief period of cooperation between the two warring nations, with both sides pledging to support those choosing to remain in the city.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, confirmed the humanitarian mission is currently underway. Russian human rights ombudsman Yana Lantratova also acknowledged the effort, noting that separate convoys are transporting individuals toward Russian territory. Local authorities estimate that approximately 2,000 people remain within the city limits of Oleshky.

Despite the local agreement, the broader conflict remains intense. Russia’s Defence Ministry reported intercepting over 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukrainian officials documented ongoing Russian strikes involving ballistic missiles and additional drone swarms. The evacuation route remains complex, requiring civilians to travel hundreds of kilometers through Russia and Belarus to reach northern Ukraine, despite the city’s proximity to Ukrainian-held positions across the Dnipro River.

The localized ceasefire in the Kherson region is scheduled to expire on Sunday evening. Both Russian and Ukrainian authorities have issued identical statements guaranteeing safe passage for those wishing to depart and continued humanitarian support for those who elect to stay. The exact logistics of the evacuation routes remain undisclosed by officials as the operation continues.