A humanitarian operation is currently underway in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, allowing residents to depart for Ukrainian-controlled areas as a local ceasefire enters its fourth day. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia announced on Friday that the Ukrainian delegation, accompanied by evacuated residents, had set off for Anapa. From there, the group is scheduled to fly to Belarus before traveling home by bus. Earlier on Friday, a convoy of 25 buses and several ambulances arrived in the war-torn city, providing food and medicine while assisting those who wished to leave.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, confirmed the ongoing humanitarian operation in an online post, though he is not part of the delegation currently in the city. The mission marks a rare instance of cooperation between Ukrainian and Russian officials amidst the ongoing war. Yana Lantratova, Russia’s human rights ombudsman, stated in a video on Telegram that the humanitarian mission was nearing completion, adding that a convoy carrying individuals headed for the Russian Federation was in transit.
According to local authorities and volunteers, approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky. Both Russian and Ukrainian officials issued identical statements confirming that all residents who wish to leave will have the opportunity to do so safely, while those who choose to stay will receive necessary humanitarian support. Although Ukrainian-controlled territory is located only a few kilometres away across the Dnipro River, reports from Ukrainian public television indicate that evacuees must travel hundreds of kilometres through Russia and Belarus before entering northern Ukraine. The specific evacuation route has not been publicly disclosed.
The local ceasefire in the southern Kherson region is expected to remain in place until Sunday evening. Despite this localized pause, fighting continued elsewhere on Friday. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have intercepted more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukraine reported Russian strikes involving ballistic missiles, other missiles, and dozens of drones.
