A long-awaited humanitarian operation is underway in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, currently occupied by Russian forces. A local ceasefire brokered between Russia and Ukraine has permitted the entry of humanitarian teams and opened the way for civilians to evacuate. After the main routes were cleared of mines, representatives from both countries began the operation, allowing residents wishing to leave a safe exit. Aid is also being delivered to those who remain in the city.
Humanitarian Teams Reach the City at Last
Oleshky is located in Ukraine’s southern Cherson region, on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Russian troops seized the city at the start of the invasion in February 2022. Since then, local residents have faced severe hardship due to the proximity of front lines, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted supply chains.
Ukrainian officials estimate that roughly 2,000 people remain in the city. They have struggled for months with shortages of food, drinking water, and medication. Standard supply deliveries are difficult, and movements near the city have been threatened by mines and ongoing military activity.
The humanitarian operation is not just focused on evacuating civilians. It also includes delivering essential goods to those staying behind and supporting the local hospital.
Mine Clearance—A Crucial Precondition
One of the greatest obstacles to evacuation was the presence of mines on the access routes. Without ensuring the safety of these roads, transporting civilians and aid workers would have been extremely dangerous.
On October 29, Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova announced that mine clearance along designated routes had been completed. Afterwards, a humanitarian convoy was readied to head for the main hospital in Oleshky.
The operation involves delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. Journalists from all three countries were expected to be present on site to speak with residents and report on the progress of the mission.
According to the official schedule, residents wishing to leave the city were given the opportunity to do so by 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, October 30. After 2:30 p.m., humanitarian aid distribution for those remaining was set to begin.
Buses and Ambulances Part of the Evacuation Effort
The humanitarian mission moved into its next phase on Friday. According to official updates during the day, coordinators entered the area to oversee the operation. Residents deciding to evacuate began boarding buses while preparations were made for distributing aid to those staying behind.
The convoy gathered near the city reportedly included about 25 buses, ambulances, and other vehicles. Special care was given to the elderly, the sick, and people with disabilities who needed assistance during transport.
Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets emphasized that the mission’s goal is to reach everyone in need. Residents can choose whether to leave, and ensuring aid for those who stay is an essential part of the plan.
Melania Trump Mediated the Ceasefire
The agreement for local hostilities to cease followed diplomatic efforts by US First Lady Melania Trump, who announced she had succeeded in brokering a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine for the area around Oleshky.
Pope Leo XIV had previously called for the creation of conditions enabling humanitarian access and evacuation. He urged that food, medicine, and medical supplies be allowed into the city and that those wishing to leave have a safe way out.
More details about Melania Trump’s diplomatic efforts can be found in our article “Melania Trump Takes Credit for Ukrainian Ceasefire: Aid to Reach Oleshky.”
The ceasefire took effect on October 27 and, as announced, is set to last until the evening of November 1. The agreement applies exclusively to the humanitarian operation around Oleshky and does not represent a broader truce or a general cessation of hostilities across the front.
Pope Called for Civilian Aid Before Truce Was Reached
Concerns about the situation in Oleshky extended to the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow a humanitarian ceasefire, aiming to bring essential supplies to residents and ensure safe passage for those wanting to leave.
We reported on this initiative in the article “Pope Leo XIV Requests Putin’s Ceasefire for Oleshky.”
Negotiations towards a humanitarian solution were not straightforward. The Ukrainian side had insisted earlier on the need for clear security guarantees and functional mechanisms to enable civilians to leave occupied territory without further threats to their safety.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
