Starved and exhausted residents of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky have crossed into Ukraine in a major civilian evacuation operation, operating under the first humanitarian truce of its kind in more than four years of Moscow’s war.
The six-day ceasefire covering the town was secured through mediation efforts led by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and assistance from Pope Leo XIV, marking the longest local pause in combat since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukrainian citizens from Oleshky crossed the border into the Chernihiv region to reunite with waiting family members. Evacuees wrapped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags stepped off buses at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, greeted by local officials holding signs that read “You’re not alone” and “We embrace with our hearts.” Residents from nearby villages lined the highway, waving flags and flashlights.
“Ukrainian citizens from Oleshky have crossed the Ukrainian border in the Chernihiv region. All of them will receive the assistance they need,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media, thanking the United States and the first lady for their mediation role. “Further steps toward de-escalation and real progress toward peace are also needed.”
Supply routes into Oleshky had been severely disrupted by ongoing fighting and drones. According to accounts from residents, food deliveries halted entirely in May, plunging hundreds of people into starvation. An elderly evacuee in a wheelchair reported losing 20 kilograms, or 44 pounds, over the past year, leaving him so weak he required hospital treatment upon arrival.
Another evacuee, Svitlana Yermakova, described resorting to extreme measures to stay alive. “We chopped grass and squash… just to hold on,” she said, adding that she took grave risks by riding a bicycle through minefields to a nearby village in search of food for herself and her dog.
To escape the devastated town, located just a few kilometers from the front line, residents navigated a complex route. They traveled by bus across Crimea to the Russian town of Anapa, flew to Belarus, and finally crossed the border into Ukraine. Ambulances and large military tents were stationed at the reception point to provide hot meals, tea, and medical aid.
Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed that the ceasefire has held since Tuesday, allowing teams to de-mine local roads and deliver food, medicine, and other supplies back into the town. The truce is scheduled to conclude on Sunday evening.
While many left, some residents chose to remain in Oleshky despite a complete lack of gas, electricity, and running water. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova acknowledged that living conditions remain difficult and pledged to continue working with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, to assist those who stayed behind. “The mission has come to an end,” Lantratova posted on Telegram. “We have agreed to carry out regular humanitarian missions, which is a very important step.”
Oleshky had a pre-war population of approximately 24,000, which plummeted to an estimated 1,700 before the evacuation began. Ukrainian officials have not yet disclosed the exact number of residents evacuated or those who chose to stay. Meanwhile, fighting continues in other sectors of the front line as both sides maintain drone attacks.
