Oleshky residents reach Ukraine after travelling through Russia and Belarus
Hundreds of people from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky arrived in Ukraine's Chernihiv region on Saturday following a 19-hour journey.
Hundreds of residents from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky reached Ukrainian-controlled territory on Saturday. The evacuees travelled through Crimea, Russia, and Belarus to reach the Chernihiv region after a journey lasting nearly 19 hours.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the humanitarian operation was completed and that all residents crossed into Ukraine through Chernihiv. Zelensky said roads to Oleshky were cleared of mines during a temporary ceasefire, which allowed for the delivery of supplies and the evacuation of residents.
The President thanked the US and First Lady Melania Trump for their mediation efforts and expressed hope for continued humanitarian access to the city. The evacuation involved a convoy of 25 buses, ambulances, and humanitarian vehicles that entered Oleshky on October 30.
The residents travelled by bus to Armyansk in occupied Crimea, then to Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar region. They then boarded Russian government aircraft to Gomel in Belarus before travelling by bus across the border into Ukraine.
A direct route to Ukrainian positions was not possible due to the active frontline, the Dnipro River, and dangers from landmines and drone attacks. Tetiana Hasanenko, head of the exiled Oleshky City Military Administration, said one person was killed and four others were injured by landmines during an escape attempt in September.
