An organized evacuation process has begun for residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region, official sources from both sides have confirmed. The movement of civilians was made possible after a ceasefire enabled route clearing efforts in the frontline area.
A temporary pause in hostilities, negotiated by US First Lady Melania Trump, took effect earlier in the week across the Kherson region. This agreement allowed clearance crews to remove landmines along the primary road leading out of the town, establishing a safe path for departing civilians.
Evacuation Corridor Details
Authorities arranged a four-hour departure window ending at 14:00 (12:00 GMT), utilizing a fleet of 25 buses alongside specialized ambulances to assist individuals with reduced mobility. The transit plan capacity allowed for up to 750 people to exit during the allocated period.
The journey requires civilians heading to Ukrainian-held territory to initially travel deeper into Russian-controlled regions before reaching Anapa in southern Russia. From there, evacuees are transported via Russian government aircraft to Gomel, Belarus, before crossing the border into Ukraine’s Chernihiv region. Other departing residents are expected to remain in Russian-controlled areas.
Civilians Choosing to Remain
Despite severe destruction and a total lack of running water, electricity, and gas services, several hundred residents have opted to stay in Oleshky. Officials noted that some older residents were reluctant to leave their homes, while others remained behind due to restrictions on relocating domestic animals.
Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Russian representative Yana Lantratova both visited the locality on Friday. Officials confirmed that those choosing to stay would be permitted to remain and provided with aid. Russia reported that supplies of food, medicine, hygiene items, and generator fuel were prepared for residents remaining in the town.
Source: BBC News
