Hundreds of Ukrainians evacuated from a Russian-occupied city have returned to reunite with their families in Ukrainian-controlled territory following a local ceasefire that enabled their exit from the city.
On Saturday, 31 Oct 2026, hundreds of Ukrainian residents evacuated from the Russian-held city of Oleshky reunited with their families after more than 1,700 days apart, following a humanitarian ceasefire that allowed them to leave the city.
Reports indicate some elderly evacuees were so weak they had to be carried on stretchers, while others appeared frail after being trapped in the frontline city without food, water, or electricity. Many survived by boiling weeds. Additionally, several sick and disabled individuals traveled accompanied by numerous ambulances.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner, revealed that the oldest evacuee was 94 years old, while the youngest was only 1 year old.
The evacuation was made possible after a 'humanitarian ceasefire' was declared in Ukraine's Kherson region starting 27 Oct and ending 1 Nov. During this period, authorities cleared mines from the evacuation routes, allowing 25 buses to transport about 750 people out of the city.
However, several hundred residents, mostly elderly, chose to remain in the city. Both Russia and Ukraine have stated they will continue to deliver humanitarian aid to those remaining.
Although Ukrainian troops are stationed just 5 kilometers from Oleshky, evacuees had to travel through Russian-occupied territory to southern Russia, then fly to Belarus before crossing the border into northern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Melania Trump, the United States First Lady, for her efforts in helping negotiate the local ceasefire.
Meanwhile, despite the temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, fighting continues elsewhere. Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Ukraine has responded by striking a major Russian missile fuel production plant in the Rostov region.
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Source:bbc