Hundreds of residents of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky were evacuated during a humanitarian ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, according to Russian and Ukrainian authorities. The evacuation took place on Friday, with evacuees traveling from Oleshky to southern Russia before continuing to Ukraine through Belarus.

Ceasefire Facilitates Evacuation

The ceasefire, the longest and most widespread since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, allowed for the road out of Oleshky to be demined. Residents had a four-hour window to leave, with a convoy of 25 buses and ambulances facilitating the evacuation of up to 750 people.

“Everything unfolded without any incidents, and both sides noted the high level of organisation,” said Russia’s human rights ombudsman Yana Lantratova. She and her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, issued a joint request for regular humanitarian missions under Mrs. Trump’s coordination.

Evacuation Route and Logistics

Evacuees first traveled into Russian-occupied territory and then to the southern Russian city of Anapa. From there, they will board a Russian government plane to Gomel in Belarus before crossing the border into Ukraine’s Chernihiv region. Others are expected to remain in Russian-occupied territory.

Lubinets and Lantratova traveled to Oleshky together on Friday, with Lubinets becoming the first Ukrainian official to visit Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine since the war began. He will also become the first to visit Russia when he escorts the evacuees back into Ukraine on Saturday.

Residents’ Reactions and Concerns

Some residents chose to stay in Oleshky despite the widespread devastation and lack of basic services. One Oleshky resident told the BBC she stayed because “they wouldn’t take my animals, so that’s it.” Others, including Olena, who now lives in Kyiv, said her grandmother and wider family in Oleshky are also staying.

“The older generation does not want to leave,” Olena said. “I’ve barely managed to persuade my father – and only because I’ve just had a baby, who he would never see otherwise.”

Residents of Kherson told the BBC they were “overjoyed” by the ceasefire but concerned that the truce has allowed Russia to build up its military presence on the banks of the Dnipro river, potentially leading to a renewed assault once the ceasefire expires.

The ceasefire is due to be in force until the end of Sunday, 1 November. The Kremlin made it clear that the success of the Oleshky ceasefire should not be interpreted as willingness to extend the truce to the rest of Ukraine.

Many Ukrainians suspect Russia’s real intention is to earn credit with the White House and to provide US President Donald Trump with a boost ahead of next week’s midterm elections.