4 Planes With Oleshky Evacuees Land in Belarus En Route to Kyiv

Four Ukrainian passenger planes landed in Belarus on Saturday, Oct. 31, carrying civilians evacuated from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, setting the stage for their eventual transit to Kyiv. This marks the transit phase of a humanitarian corridor negotiated under a US-mediated localized ceasefire, allowing residents to return to government-controlled territory while avoiding conflict zones along the Dnipro River.

The last plane touched down in Gomel, Belarus, according to parliamentary faction leader David Arakhamia, who announced the news via social media. The evacuated individuals, along with a Ukrainian delegation, will soon be on Ukrainian soil. Transported overland by bus from Oleshky through Russian-occupied Crimea to the port city of Anapa, the evacuees then boarded charter flights to Gomel before continuing their journey across the border into Ukraine.

This operation followed an official Ukrainian humanitarian delegation's arrival in Oleshky on Friday, Oct. 30, led by Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and international journalists. The mission was coordinated with Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova, following weeks of preparation and de-mining efforts.

A fleet of 25 buses, capable of transporting 750 passengers, along with specialized ambulances, was deployed to the devastated left-bank municipality. Evacuation centers were set up near the town's central hospital, prioritizing the elderly, disabled, and families with children. Essential supplies, including food, infant nutrition, and medications, were also distributed to those opting to stay.

The successful evacuation proceeded under a localized silence regime, which has held without any breaches, representing a rare pause in the conflict along the southern front. The ceasefire has now lasted 87 hours, with no recorded violations, according to Lubinets. The armistice in the designated sector is set to remain in effect until 10:59 p.m. on Nov.

1. Under the agreement, military commands from both nations committed to suspending combat aviation, drone interdiction, artillery fire, and offensive maneuvers in the Oleshky pocket and surrounding areas, enabling the de-mining teams to clear roads and facilitate safe transit for aid convoys.