Ukrainian evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky reunite with family

According to Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera, a humanitarian evacuation has allowed residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky to cross into Ukraine following a six-day ceasefire. This truce, the longest regional pause since the 2022 invasion, was facilitated through the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the safe arrival of these citizens in the Chernihiv region, where they were greeted by local officials and community members.

Many of those who left the town reported severe physical deterioration due to a lack of supplies, with some residents noting that food deliveries had ceased as early as May. Evacuees recounted experiences of extreme hunger, with some individuals surviving by consuming grass and squash. To reach safety, the group followed an arduous path that involved traveling through Crimea and Russia before flying to Belarus and crossing the Ukrainian border.

While the ceasefire allowed for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the de-mining of roads, some residents chose to remain in Oleshky, which continues to suffer from a lack of essential utilities like electricity and running water. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova indicated that further humanitarian missions may be organized to assist those who stayed behind. Although the situation in Oleshky has seen temporary relief, the broader conflict remains active, with ongoing drone attacks reported across other segments of the front line.

Source: Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/ukrainian-evacuees-from-russian-occupied-oleshky-reunite-with-family?traffic_source=rss