Up to 2,000 civilians trapped in the frontline Russian-occupied city of Olesjky face a contested evacuation plan following a local ceasefire negotiated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, Dagbladet reported. The humanitarian corridor, which commenced at 3:00 AM, aims to provide food, medicine, and an exit route from a settlement described by volunteers as a “hell on earth.”
Ceasefire Brings Aid and Evacuation Routes to Olesjky
The temporary ceasefire allows humanitarian aid to reach the remaining population in Olesjky, located in the Kherson region on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River from Ukrainian-controlled territory. Russian forces captured the town during the initial invasion in February 2022, and conditions deteriorated further after the Kakhovka dam collapsed in June 2023. Residents have endured severe shortages of electricity, clean water, and medical supplies while remaining unable to leave due to surrounding landmines and drone activity. Mines along the evacuation routes are currently being cleared, and buses are scheduled to transport residents starting Thursday, as detailed by The New York Times.
Legal Warnings Over Transport Through Russian Territory
The planned evacuation route—which requires transporting Ukrainian citizens through Russian-controlled territory or occupied Crimea before any potential return—has drawn sharp warnings from legal experts. Cecilie Hellestveit told Dagbladet that while humanitarian evacuations require the agreement of both parties, providing evacuees with a one-way ticket is unlawful. Hellestveit stated that if civilians express a desire to return to Ukraine and Russian authorities prevent them from doing so, the operation could violate Geneva Convention prohibitions against forced displacement.
Melania Trump Mediated High-Level Agreement
The diplomatic breakthrough stems from talks led by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who engaged directly with Russian and Ukrainian authorities after meeting with UN representatives. Both governments confirmed the agreement. However, skepticism remains widespread among displaced former residents, such as Vitalij, who fled the city weeks prior and told Reuters that despite his respect for the First Lady, she holds little influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Olesjky Evacuation
When did the ceasefire take effect?
The temporary local ceasefire officially began at 3:00 AM on Tuesday and is scheduled to run through the weekend, according to Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, as reported by Reuters.
How many people remain inside the city?
Out of a pre-war population of approximately 24,000, only about 1,700 to 2,000 residents are left inside the isolated and heavily mined city, based on figures from the United Nations and local reports.
What are the planned routes for the evacuees?
Evacuation buses will move through Russian-occupied territory and into Russia or occupied Crimea starting Thursday, with only the Russian military involved in this phase of transport, according to reporting cited by The New York Times.
Worth a look