Evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky successfully crossed into Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday. The rescue operation, which unfolded under a significant humanitarian truce, represents a rare instance of cooperation during the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Upon arriving at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, the weary travelers were met by family members and a group of volunteers, including representatives from the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and World Central Kitchen. Many of the evacuees, some wrapped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags, were greeted by local villagers who lined the highway, waving flags and flashlights in a show of support. Volunteers provided coffee and essential aid to the arrivals, extending their care to the pets the evacuees brought with them, including dogs, cats, a parrot, and a raccoon.
Tetiana Leonidivna, 71, expressed deep gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers who assisted in her departure. Through tears, she remarked, “We love them, we love them. We know that they are protecting us. And a deep bow to them, and a deep bow to their parents, for having such children. I am proud, I am simply proud.”
For others, the journey marked the end of a harrowing period of occupation. Ivan Yevhenovych, 48, described the perilous conditions in Oleshky, noting that the presence of drones made movement through the city streets extremely difficult. “Since spring, there hasn't really been any staple food left,” he explained, while holding a cigarette with shaking hands. He added that residents faced daily threats from landmines and drone strikes.
When the temporary truce was implemented, approximately 2,000 people remained in Oleshky. Residents were given the option to evacuate to either Ukrainian- or Russian-held territory, or to stay in the city, where authorities offered to replenish food and medical supplies. Yevhenovych noted that many chose to remain, citing attachments to their homes and animals. Ukrainian authorities have restricted details regarding the route and the total number of evacuees to safeguard future missions, though Melania Trump noted on social media that the convoy could safely evacuate more than 750 people.
The emotional weight of the conflict was evident as 19-year-old Liza Paliy waited at the border for her father. She had not seen him for over two and a half years, having fled the city with her mother and sister earlier in the war. “We thought at that time that it would be a month, two maximum, and we would return, but unfortunately, two years have already passed,” she said.
Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets described the mission as a significant success. “This is an extremely important moment. Behind us are difficult negotiations, agreements, preparations, and an enormous amount of work. But most importantly, the people who waited so long to be rescued are finally safe,” he stated. Lubinets noted that the ages of the evacuees ranged from infants to 94-year-olds, and he expressed hope that this truce could serve as a model for future humanitarian crises. While Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, confirmed that both sides agreed to regular humanitarian missions, she noted that living conditions in Oleshky remain severe and that Russia would continue to support those who chose to stay or relocate to Russian-occupied areas, such as the Crimean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, the broader conflict continues. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed U.S. approval for the purchase of 500 PAC-3 Patriot interceptors but cautioned that current Russian strikes on energy infrastructure remain a daily threat, with over 30 strikes recorded in the first two weeks of October alone. The State Department clarified that the purchase is funded by donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway. In separate developments, Russian officials reported a Ukrainian drone attack in the Bryansk region that resulted in two deaths and five injuries, while the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 433 Ukrainian drones overnight. In Ukraine, President Zelenskyy reported that Russian strikes hit energy and railway infrastructure, leaving 280,000 households in the Kyiv and Dnipro regions without power.
CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine — Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory Saturday in a major rescue operation carried out under the most significant truce since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine 4½ years ago.
Liza Paliy, 19, waited at the border for her father, whom she last saw more than 2½ years earlier when she fled the occupied city with her mother and sister.
