The key facts

  • A Ukrainian delegation arrived in Oleshky amid a ceasefire that had held for more than 80 hours
  • 25 buses with a capacity of 750 passengers and medical transport vehicles have been prepared for the evacuation
  • Ukraine's prime minister retracted the previously cited figure of 527 people wishing to leave, calling it uncertain

The delegation reached Oleshky

In the Ukrainian city of Oleshky in the Kherson region, occupied by Russia, a humanitarian operation has begun amid a rare local ceasefire, which by Friday had already held for 80 hours. Ukraine's ombudsperson Dmytro Lubinets confirmed that the Ukrainian delegation had safely reached the city. Along the way it stopped in Armyansk in occupied Crimea, where Lubinets coordinated the next stages of the mission with Russia's human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova. Journalists from three countries are taking part in the mission; footage published by Lubinets also shows representatives of Kremlin-controlled media.

Aid delivered, evacuation being prepared

Around midday, Davyd Arakhamia, head of the parliamentary faction of President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that humanitarian aid had reached Oleshky and that residents wishing to evacuate were being given technical assistance. According to Lubinets, the aid is intended primarily for elderly people, people with disabilities, and those unable to care for themselves. Twenty-five buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers have been prepared for departure, as well as medical transport vehicles for people with limited mobility.

The main uncertainties: the number of evacuees and their route

The operation has become a rare moment of direct humanitarian cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow after years of occupation: the ceasefire was agreed through the human rights commissioners of the two countries with the support of US First Lady Melania Trump. However, the most sensitive stage is the safe exit of civilians to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Ukraine's Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky initially reported that 527 residents intended to leave, but then retracted that figure, saying that their number remains uncertain while the operation continues. According to Euronews, amid reports that Russian forces began removing residents earlier than the agreed date, concerns persist that civilians may be taken out through Russian-controlled territory rather than being allowed to return to areas under Ukrainian administration; the outlet previously examined in detail the dilemma of for the city's residents.