First Humanitarian Aid Convoy Enters Occupied Oleshky: How Evacuation of Residents Proceeds

On Friday, October 30, the first humanitarian aid convoy entered the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, and the evacuation of residents wishing to leave the settlement began. The launch of the humanitarian operation was announced that day on the social network X by Kirill Dmitriev, the special representative of the Russian side, followed by Russian media. The mission is led by the human rights commissioners of Ukraine and Russia — Dmytro Lubinets and Yana Lantratova, who are accompanying the convoy with supplies and coordinating the evacuation of citizens. As of 09:30 on Friday, the delegation was in Armyansk on the Perekop Isthmus, where, according to Lubinets, coordination of further actions was underway in the presence of journalists from three countries.

Delegation Route and Mission Logistics

To reach Oleshky, the Ukrainian delegation followed a complex multi-stage route: first traveling to Gomel in Belarus, flying from there to Anapa in Russia, and then proceeding by land from Crimea to the occupied city. According to the organizers, this exact route will be used for the evacuation of residents. Lubinets emphasized that preparations were conducted 'at a high level' and the main task is to ensure that aid reaches everyone in need, with special attention to the elderly, people with disabilities, and all those unable to care for themselves. The humanitarian convoy is expected to arrive at the central hospital in Oleshky.

Evacuation: 25 Buses and Freedom to Choose Direction

For the evacuation from Oleshky, according to Lubinets, 25 buses with a capacity of 750 seats have been prepared, as well as ambulances for mobility-impaired citizens. Yana Lantratova stated that about 2,000 people were in the city during the occupation. Residents deciding to leave the city will be able to independently choose their evacuation direction — either to territory controlled by Ukraine or to Russia. According to Lubinets, a safe exit will be ensured for everyone wishing to leave, and those who remain will receive necessary humanitarian support. Leaving the city was possible until 14:00 on October 30, after which the distribution of humanitarian aid began at 14:30.

Humanitarian Supplies and International Presence

According to the Russian media outlet Izvestia, the vehicles are carrying tens of tons of food, medicines, drinking water, hygiene products, and generator fuel. Accompanying the convoy toward Oleshky in buses are journalists from Ukraine, Russia, the US, France, and Italy. From the US, a crew from the American television network Newsmax is expected to be working in the city. The presence of US First Lady Melania Trump has not been confirmed: senior adviser Mark Beckman stated that her visit is not planned, though the possibility is not ruled out 'if security and schedule permit'.

Silence Regime and Route Demining

The silence regime in the Oleshky area began on October 27 at 03:00 Kyiv time. According to Lubinets, by October 30 it had lasted for over 75 hours without recorded violations, which he called the longest ceasefire since 2022. The ombudsmen reported that routes for the humanitarian mission have been demined; Lubinets wrote on the evening of October 29 that demining of certain sections was completed and the convoy was formed and ready for dispatch. At the same time, Lantratova stated that two people, including a sapper, were killed during the demining of the road near Oleshky.

Context: Oleshky Under Occupation

Russian troops occupied Oleshky in February 2022. Following the liberation of Kherson in November of that year, the city remained under Russian control on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Due to the destruction of crossings and proximity to the frontline, communication with territory controlled by Ukraine became significantly complicated, and in the summer of 2023 the city suffered from massive flooding. The humanitarian mission, taking place through the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump, aims to deliver aid to civilians and create conditions for the safe departure of residents wishing to leave the city.