Reunited after 1,711 days: Oleshky evacuees return to Ukraine under Melania Trump-brokered ceasefire

Dmytro and Larisa, a 54-year-old couple, were reunited after being separated for 1,711 days. They had been waiting for Larisa near the border between Ukraine and Belarus, where she was among hundreds of evacuees returning from the occupied town of Oleshky. The couple's joy was evident as Dmytro kissed Larisa repeatedly and held her tightly, as if he wouldn't let go.

Larisa, who had lost a third of her body weight during the occupation, still maintained a poised demeanor. She expressed concern for the suffering of others in similar situations and emphasized the need for peace and victory. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Melania Trump for her role in brokering the ceasefire that enabled the evacuation. He also called for global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Ukraine's ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, personally escorted the evacuees, becoming the first high-ranking Ukrainian official to visit occupied areas under Russian control. Speaking to CNN, Lubinets highlighted the importance of the experience gained during the negotiation with Russia, under the coordination of Melania Trump. He also mentioned that similar villages in Ukraine face the same challenges with food and medicine, urging continued efforts in addressing these issues.

Reports indicated that Oleshky had been hit by a major flood in 2023, likely caused by a Russian explosion. The town had been suffering from severe food shortages and lack of essential supplies such as electricity, gas, and medicine since September. The Ukrainian authorities reported that people were surviving on grass and weeds, living a desperate existence under the Russian occupation.