The Ukrainian military evacuated 167 people from the southern Kherson region on Sunday, November 1, 2026, as a temporary local ceasefire concluded. The evacuation follows the movement of residents out of the Russian-held town of Oleshky, located on the Dnipro River, during a six-day pause in fighting.
The local truce, which began on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, was reached through mediation by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and involvement from Pope Leo. The ceasefire expired at midnight Moscow time on Sunday. Officials from Ukraine and Russia stated that both sides adhered to the terms of the agreement, which allowed for the demining of roads and the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies to the area.
Ukraine's General Staff reported that the 167 evacuees included 22 children and 21 individuals with limited mobility. According to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova, residents leaving Oleshky were initially transported to Crimea using 25 buses and nine ambulances before being divided into convoys heading toward either Russia or Ukraine. Those traveling to Ukraine followed a route through Crimea to Anapa, Russia, then flew to Belarus before crossing back into Ukrainian territory.
The operation affected at least 167 civilians directly evacuated on Sunday, following residents who departed Oleshky starting Saturday, October 31, 2026. The group included 22 children and 21 people requiring special assistance due to limited mobility. This event was the longest local pause in hostilities since the invasion began in February 2022, providing a temporary mechanism for civilian passage.
Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin warned residents to remain vigilant and avoid "red zones" near the Dnipro River following the expiration of the truce at 2100 GMT on Sunday. While the ceasefire provided temporary access to clean water and medicine, Prokudin noted the intensity of strikes in those areas remains high. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Russian Commissioner Yana Lantratova said they are exploring possibilities to continue similar humanitarian efforts, though no specific dates for subsequent pauses have been set.
Russian forces have held Oleshky since 2022 despite Ukrainian forces recapturing the regional capital of Kherson that same year. Pope Leo expressed hope that this cooperation could lead to broader peace efforts. Military action continued in other parts of Ukraine on Sunday, with deaths reported in the Sumy and Vinnytsia regions.