Residents of Russian-controlled Ukrainian town arrive in Belarus

On October 31, 2026, evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky finally reached Ukrainian-controlled territory after a 19-hour journey. The residents, who had been trapped in a humanitarian crisis for months, arrived to an emotional welcome at the border crossing with Belarus. They were greeted by relatives, health workers, aid organizations, police, and media.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the success of the mission, expressing gratitude to all parties involved, including U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Zelensky wrote that in times of global attention, the salvation of people is possible. He also emphasized the need for further de-escalation steps and a genuine approach to peace.

A humanitarian operation to rescue people in Oleshky from the Kherson region had taken place, with a ceasefire established during which roads were cleared of mines and humanitarian aid was delivered. Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, and Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, Yana Lantratova, coordinated the operation.

The evacuees ranged in age from 94 to just one year old. Many broke down in tears upon stepping onto Ukrainian soil for the first time in years. Liudmyla Burychenko, 39, expressed her faith that evacuation would eventually happen and mentioned that her family had taken shelter in the basement during recent drone attacks.

The evacuation followed a temporary ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The agreement aimed to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the departure of civilians wishing to leave Oleshky. This operation was the largest of its kind, with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire playing a crucial role in enabling civilians to leave safely from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

Some residents had stayed in Russian-occupied Oleshky due to fears of Russian filtration checks. One resident, Iryna Mohylna, waited for her godfather who had boarded an evacuation plane. The day-long journey began in Armiansk, occupied Crimea, where residents could choose to go to Russia or Ukraine. The evacuees were then transported to Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, boarded planes to Belarus, and finally arrived in Ukrainian-controlled territory.