October 31, 2026: In a significant humanitarian development amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, residents evacuated from the Russian-controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky have arrived in Belarus, marking an important stage in an unusual evacuation operation involving cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv.
Several aircraft carrying evacuees landed at Gomel Airport in Belarus on Saturday, October 31, according to reports by Belarusian state news agency Belta and international media. The civilians are expected to continue their journey towards Ukrainian-controlled territory through a border crossing.
The evacuation comes under a temporary humanitarian ceasefire agreed upon to allow civilians trapped in the war-affected town to leave safely and receive essential assistance.
Civilians Travel Through Russia Before Reaching Belarus
The evacuation operation involved a complicated journey for residents wishing to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
According to Reuters, evacuees were transported by buses from Oleshky through the Crimean peninsula to the Russian city of Anapa. From there, they travelled by aircraft to Gomel in Belarus.
Their journey is expected to continue across the Belarus-Ukraine border, allowing them to reach areas under Ukrainian government control.
The operation is particularly significant because Oleshky remains under Russian control, while the residents seeking evacuation have chosen to return to Ukraine.
The humanitarian arrangement required coordination between representatives of both sides of the conflict, highlighting the possibility of limited cooperation even as fighting continues elsewhere.
Humanitarian Crisis in Oleshky Triggers Evacuation
Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region, has experienced severe humanitarian difficulties during the prolonged conflict.
The town has faced shortages of food, medicines, electricity, clean water and other essential services. Continued insecurity and damage to infrastructure have made everyday life increasingly difficult for the remaining population.
Before the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Oleshky had a population of approximately 24,000. Ukrainian officials have estimated that around 1,700 residents remained in the town, although the exact number is difficult to establish.
Reports have described residents as exhausted and struggling with shortages of basic necessities. The approaching winter has further increased concerns about the safety and well-being of civilians who remain there.
The evacuation was therefore intended not only to relocate residents but also to provide a humanitarian opportunity for people facing increasingly difficult living conditions.
Rare Ceasefire Facilitates Cooperation Between Russia and Ukraine
The evacuation was made possible by a temporary humanitarian ceasefire that came into effect on October 27 in the Oleshky area.
US First Lady Melania Trump played a mediating role in facilitating the arrangement, with Pope Leo XIV also encouraging humanitarian efforts to protect civilians affected by the war.
A convoy of approximately 25 buses was prepared for the evacuation, alongside medical personnel and ambulances to assist residents requiring additional support.
According to reports, the ceasefire allowed humanitarian teams and officials to coordinate the movement of civilians through areas affected by the conflict. The temporary arrangement was scheduled to remain in place until November 1.
The operation has attracted international attention because direct humanitarian cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian representatives remains unusual after more than four years of full-scale war.
More Than 750 Residents Could Receive Evacuation Assistance
The evacuation plan was designed to accommodate more than 750 residents. Ukrainian officials had earlier indicated that 527 people wanted to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory.
However, not everyone chose the same destination. Residents were reportedly given the opportunity to decide whether they wanted to move towards Ukrainian-controlled areas, remain in Russian-controlled territory or stay in Oleshky with renewed humanitarian assistance.
Ukrainian authorities have also prepared arrangements for medical examinations, temporary accommodation, clothing and other essential supplies for those returning.
The exact number of people who completed the journey to Belarus and those who chose other destinations was not immediately clear in the initial reports.
International Significance Amid the Continuing War
The evacuation represents a rare example of humanitarian coordination between two countries that remain engaged in a prolonged military conflict.
Although the temporary ceasefire has enabled civilians to leave Oleshky, it does not indicate a broader agreement to end hostilities.
The situation also highlights the growing humanitarian challenges facing communities located near the frontline, where disrupted infrastructure and limited access to essential supplies continue to affect civilian populations.
For Ukraine, ensuring the safe return and rehabilitation of evacuated residents will remain an important priority. Meanwhile, the international community continues to face the challenge of securing humanitarian access to vulnerable populations across conflict-affected regions.
As the temporary ceasefire approaches its scheduled conclusion, attention will remain on whether the evacuation operation can be completed successfully and whether similar humanitarian arrangements can be established in other affected areas.
