Ukrainian evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky reach safety via humanitarian corridor

OPA WIRE, Oct 31 (OPA) — Ukrainian citizens from the occupied city of Oleshky crossed into the Chernihiv region on Saturday after a complex transit through Russia and Belarus. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrival, stating that government agencies are coordinating efforts to provide the evacuees with immediate assistance and long-term support. The operation was made possible by a humanitarian ceasefire in the Kherson frontline region that began Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, November 1.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, reported that the evacuees ranged in age from one to 94 years old. The group traveled by bus from Oleshky to Anapa, Russia, before flying to Gomel, Belarus, and finally crossing the northern border into Ukraine. Evacuees described severe conditions in the city, citing a lack of food, electricity, and running water. One resident noted that the scarcity of supplies had left many in a state of physical exhaustion, while others emphasized the constant danger posed by mined routes and drone activity.

Oleshky, which had a pre-war population of 24,000, was captured by Russian forces during the initial days of the February 2022 invasion. The ceasefire provided a four-hour window for residents to depart, with a convoy of 25 buses facilitating the transport of up to 750 people. Despite the evacuation efforts, several hundred residents chose to remain in the city. Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, traveled to Oleshky together on Friday to oversee the process, marking a significant diplomatic development in the ongoing conflict.

While the current ceasefire has allowed for the clearing of minefields and the delivery of humanitarian aid, the long-term status of the region remains precarious. Bridges across the Dnipro River remain destroyed, and the surrounding areas continue to be heavily mined. President Zelensky praised the ombudsman’s team for their role in the operation, while officials indicated that those who opted to stay in Oleshky would continue to be monitored for humanitarian needs despite the ongoing occupation.