Humanitarian aid reaches Russian-occupied Oleshky as residents begin evacuation, Ukrainian ombudsman says
Humanitarian aid has reached Russian-occupied Oleshky in southern Ukraine's Kherson Oblast, and residents wishing to travel to Ukrainian-controlled territory have been able to leave the town, Ukraine's human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said on October 30.
According to Lubinets, a temporary ceasefire arranged to facilitate the humanitarian mission has held for 87 hours without any reported violations.
"Those who wished to leave for Ukraine have now had the opportunity to do so. Humanitarian aid has been delivered. The convoys have separated, and I am heading back to Ukraine," he wrote.
Lubinets also released footage showing residents receiving assistance to leave Oleshky for either Ukrainian-controlled territory or Russia, depending on their preference.
Earlier on October 30, he said 25 buses with a combined capacity of 750 passengers had been prepared for the evacuation, along with ambulances for people with limited mobility. He did not specify how many residents had left the town.
Ukrainian negotiator Davyd Arakhamia said the evacuees and the Ukrainian delegation were traveling to Anapa in southern Russia. From there, the residents were expected to fly to Belarus before continuing to Ukrainian-controlled territory by bus.
The temporary ceasefire began at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on October 27 and is scheduled to remain in effect until 10:59 p.m. on November 1. It covers Kherson Oblast and other areas involved in the humanitarian mission.
The operation follows months of worsening humanitarian conditions in Oleshky, where residents have faced severe shortages of food and other essential supplies.
US First Lady Melania Trump announced the ceasefire agreement, with the White House describing her as an exclusive mediator who helped negotiate its objectives and terms with Ukraine and Russia.
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