A landmark evacuation and humanitarian aid mission was underway Friday inside a devastated Russian-occupied city in Ukraine, during a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump and with the involvement of Pope Leo XIV. Ukrainian officials have described the operation in Oleshky as one of the most significant pauses in fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four-and-a-half years ago. However, any sense that the ceasefire might yield wider progress in the war were tempered by Russian missile strikes on other Ukrainian cities ahead of what is predicted to be a bitter winter for residents of the invaded country.
Some Ukrainians in the city were also worried about where they would end up after being evacuated. Though Oleshky is just across the Dnipro River from Ukrainian-held Kherson, the planned escape route to Ukrainian-controlled territory runs through Russia and its ally Belarus. Some residents told Sky News they feared they would not be allowed to continue into Ukraine, leaving them weighing whether to board the buses or remain in the devastated city.
Designated routes into the city had been cleared of mines. A convoy of 25 buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers, along with nine ambulances and more than 50 medical professionals, had been prepared to help residents leave, according to Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova. Everyone will be given the opportunity to do so.
People are gradually boarding the buses.” Ukrainian representatives also said they were on the ground. The dominance of drone warfare in this conflict makes above-ground travel extremely dangerous, and services and supplies have deteriorated sharply since May. Oleshky’s pre-invasion population of more than 20,000 has dwindled to an estimated 2,000, with those left behind surviving on tiny amounts of grain and edible weeds.
This perilous situation caught the attention of Leo, who called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16 to express his “deep concern” and urge a pause in fighting to allow evacuations and aid deliveries. The first lady’s office said she learned of the city’s plight during a United Nations gathering in September and used contacts developed through her efforts to reunite Ukrainian children with their families to help broker the truce. Both sides have praised her contribution.
The ceasefire was announced Oct. 23 and took effect Tuesday. It is due to expire at 10:59 p.m. Sunday, Kyiv time (3:59 p.m.
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