Humanitarian teams evacuate residents from russian occupied oleshky during brokered ceasefire, route leads through Russia and Belarus
Evacuations begin in Oleshky
Humanitarian delegations from Ukraine and Russia reached Oleshky on Friday morning. They started providing aid and making arrangements to move residents out of the city. The evacuation plan sends people through Russia and Belarus before they return to Ukraine on Saturday. The convoy had 25 buses, while ambulances brought food and medicine.
Thousands remain in the city
Local authorities said around 2,000 people were still in Oleshky. The evacuation is taking place during a localized ceasefire. The arrangement followed increased pressure from President Trump on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy targets. That pressure came ahead of next week’s U.S. midterm elections, while some Ukrainian officials questioned Russia’s intentions.
Ukrainians voice security concerns
Some Ukrainians on social media expressed doubts about the ceasefire and its possible implications for the wider Kherson region, which is facing a humanitarian crisis. Ukrainian journalist Nastia Nagorna warned that the evacuation could be used to move Russian troops closer to Kherson and the Right Bank.
Nagorna also cautioned that repeated humanitarian operations could enable Russian forces to build up troops and resources under the cover of aid deliveries. Her comments reflected concerns about the ceasefire’s potential military consequences.
Key points
- Ukrainian and Russian teams began evacuating Oleshky residents on Friday.
- The planned route runs through Russia and Belarus, with return to Ukraine expected Saturday.
- A 25-bus convoy arrived, and local authorities said about 2,000 people remained.
- Journalist Nastia Nagorna warned the operation could pose a threat to Kherson.