Hundreds of residents evacuated the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky during a temporary ceasefire. The mission involved cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Authorities from Russia and Ukraine organized a mass evacuation in Oleshky. Hundreds of residents left the damaged city this week. A special humanitarian ceasefire made this safe exit possible.
Also, the US First Lady Melania Trump helped broker this rare agreement. Both sides praised the high level of organization during the mission. No major incidents occurred during the process.
Next, planes carrying the evacuees landed in Gomel, Belarus on Saturday. These people will soon travel by bus into the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. This route provides a path to safety for families.
Meanwhile, officials created a four-hour window for residents to depart on Friday. A convoy of 25 buses helped roughly 750 people leave the area. Ambulances also assisted those with limited mobility.
However, many people chose to stay in Oleshky despite the lack of basic utilities. The city currently faces a shortage of water, gas, and electricity. Some residents refused to leave because they could not bring their pets.
After that, Ukrainian official Dmytro Lubinets visited the occupied city with his Russian counterpart. This marked a rare trip for a Ukrainian leader into occupied territory. Both officials filmed videos while meeting with emotional local residents.
Still, the ceasefire remains limited to the Kherson region. It serves as the longest break in fighting since the war began in 2022. This pause allowed crews to clear dangerous landmines from the main roads.
Furthermore, Russia promised to deliver tons of aid to those remaining in the city. This includes medicine, food, and fuel for power generators. Officials hope to make these humanitarian missions a regular event.
Finally, the truce will last until the end of Sunday. Local citizens feel happy about the peace but worry about the future. Many fear Russia will increase its military strength once the fighting resumes.