Ukrainian civilians from the occupied city of Oleshky have returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory in the Chernihiv region following a humanitarian truce. The operation, mediated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and prompted by appeals from Pope Leo XIV, allowed residents to evacuate via Crimea, Russia, and Belarus. The humanitarian convoy departed from the occupied city of Armyansk, located about 100 kilometers southeast of Oleshky.
Oleshky civilians cross into Chernihiv region
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X that citizens from Oleshky have crossed the border and will receive full assistance. The evacuation followed a temporary ceasefire that Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian ombudsman, mediated together with the Russian side. The operation was jointly coordinated by Yana Lantratova, the Russian human rights commissioner, and Lubinets.
Evacuees arrived in Ukraine via buses after traveling from Oleshky through Russia and then flying into Gomel, Belarus. According to reporting from Corriere della Sera, the journey took 24 hours to bypass a distance of only eight kilometers that separated them from Kherson. The first humanitarian convoys reached Oleshky on Friday morning. One evacuee reported that drones spied on them through windows to check for food supplies. Lubinets noted that among the evacuees, the oldest was 94 years old and the youngest had recently turned one.
HOPE FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACEOleshky proves we can raise humanity above war. Together, we can build a peaceful planet, a world of promise for our children. https://t.co/rn07rxbWwc
Did you know? Between 1,500 and 2,000 people had remained in Oleshky.
Conflicting reports on truce violations
While Ukraine celebrates the mission’s success, Moscow has accused Kyiv of violating the humanitarian agreement. Russian special ambassador Rodion Miroshnik claimed on Telegram that a Ukrainian drone attacked a civilian car at the Nechaevsky intersection as it headed toward the village of Radensk to buy food, wounding a man and a woman. Moscow alleges the attack occurred one day before the truce’s expiration, which is scheduled for tomorrow. Miroshnik added that the wounded were taken to the Oleshky district hospital.
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| Entity | Stated Position/Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Melania Trump | Mediated the Oleshky ceasefire. | Sky TG24 |
| Sergei Lavrov | Stated that inviting Poland to G20 meetings would be counterproductive. | Sky TG24 |
| Marco Rubio | Stated that Poland deserves to become a full member of the G20. | Sky TG24 |
Oleshky humanitarian evacuation FAQs
How did the civilians travel from Oleshky to Ukraine?
Evacuees traveled to the Russian city of Anapa, then took a military flight to Gomel, Belarus, before crossing into the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
Who were the primary mediators of the truce?
The truce was negotiated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, following appeals from Pope Leo XIV and mediation by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
How many people were involved in the evacuation?
Newsmax reporter Alex Salvi reported that 750 people registered for the mission, with 11 buses destined for Ukraine and four for Russia. Official final figures have not been released.
It remains unclear exactly how many of the residents of Oleshky chose to evacuate versus those who opted to stay in the occupied city.
Oleshky evacuees are arriving at the Belarus-Ukraine border.Number of buses for Ukraine: 11Number of buses for Russia: 423 ambulances are on scene for the elderly; I’m told no major concerns at this point. pic.twitter.com/w1FLgvm83r