Oleshky Evacuees Reunited After Complex Journey
Families cross from Belarus to Ukraine following a multi-leg route and a critical ceasefire in Kherson.
Sarah Connor
People evacuated from Oleshky reunited with loved ones on Saturday.
The truce, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, holds until the close of Sunday, November 1. This evacuation unfolded on Friday, during a localized ceasefire in the Kherson region.
The mission demanded a multi-leg journey, snaking through Crimea, Russia, and Belarus. This circuitous path became unavoidable due to active combat positions across the Dnipro River.
Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, accompanied the evacuees. Aid workers from the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and World Central Kitchen provided crucial assistance at a border reception point.
Belarusian state media outlet Belta reported rescue workers, medical teams, and Red Cross volunteers met the group in Homel. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova confirmed living conditions in Oleshky remain difficult.
An estimated 2,000 people resided in Oleshky when the truce began. Approximately 1,700 reportedly lacked basic utilities.
The ceasefire allowed de-mining operations and the delivery of critical food and medicine to the town. Russia stated it had prepared aid for residents who chose not to leave.
It was very difficult. There were a lot of drones; it was hard to move around the streets. Since spring, there hasn't really been any staple food left. People had a little bit of their own reserves. We are thrifty people.
Ivan Yevhenovych, an evacuee, recounted the harsh conditions. He noted, "It was very difficult. There were a lot of drones; it was hard to move around the streets. Since spring, there hasn't really been any staple food left. People had a little bit of their own reserves. We are thrifty people."
Yevhenovych also explained why some residents chose to stay. He stated, "Many people stayed behind and didn't want to leave. Some for their houses, some for their animals."
Pets, including dogs, cats, a parrot, and a raccoon, were also evacuated. Dmytro Lubinets underscored the operation's significance, saying, "This is an extremely important moment. Behind us are difficult negotiations, agreements, preparations, and an enormous amount of work. But most importantly, the people who waited so long to be rescued are finally safe."
Separately, the US approved a $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine. Germany, Canada, and Norway finance this sale, with deliveries reportedly beginning in a few years.