Ukrainian and Russian humanitarian delegations began evacuating residents from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. The operation, conducted during a localized ceasefire, involves transporting civilians via a route through Russia and Belarus for those returning to Ukraine.
Oleshky, located in the southeastern Kherson region, has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the conflict. According to reports, Russian strikes in the surrounding area had previously prevented the delivery of food, water, and medicine for months. The temporary truce, which began Oct. 28 and is scheduled to end on the evening of Nov. 1, was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and encouraged by Pope Leo XIV.
On Friday morning, a convoy of 25 buses, accompanied by ambulances and trucks, entered the city following the removal of mines from local roads. Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that all residents wishing to leave would be given the opportunity to do so, while those who remain would receive humanitarian aid. Local authorities estimated that approximately 2,000 people were in the city prior to the evacuation.
The event marks a significant truce in the 4.5 years since the full-scale invasion began, though its broader impact remains a subject of debate among officials. Ukrainian Parliament member Vadym Ivchenko suggested Russia agreed to the truce to demonstrate reliability for future negotiations. However, some Ukrainian observers, including journalist Nastia Nagorna, expressed concern that the humanitarian window could allow Russian forces to concentrate resources or move troops under the cover of aid delivery.
While the localized ceasefire held in Oleshky, military actions continued elsewhere. On Thursday, Oct. 29, a Russian strike on a train station in Dnipro killed at least 14 people, and a drone strike in the Sumy region on Friday resulted in one death and eight injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Russia has not taken steps toward de-escalation in the energy sector. The current evacuation and aid mission are scheduled to conclude when the local truce expires on Sunday evening, Nov. 1.