Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
In a post on X, Kyiv's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed the Ukrainian delegation was in Oleshky and that he had been speaking with some residents.
Earlier, he said 25 buses with room for 750 people were prepared to evacuate the residents, and that all civilians would be given the opportunity to leave the city, with the provision of assistance to those who choose to stay.
Lubinets has also emphasised the importance of both sides maintaining the six-day U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
“Our main task is to ensure that this assistance reaches every person in need. Particular attention is being paid to older people, persons with disabilities, and anyone who is unable to care for themselves due to their health condition or other circumstances,” he said.
Oleshky sits on the front line of the conflict in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. The city was seized by Russia during the first days of the war in February 2022.
It has had no electricity, gas or water for three years and there are no shops open. Access in and out of the city is extremely difficult because routes have been mined and are subject to drone attacks.
Around 6,000 people, including 200 children, remain in the city, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The city was seized by Russia during the first days of the war in February 2022. Before the war it had a population of around 24,000.
An aid convoy started moving towards Oleshky overnight, carrying food and medical supplies among other items, the Russian newspaper Izvestia said on Friday. Reporters from countries including France, Italy, Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. accompanied the convoy, the publication reported.
On Thursday, Russia and Ukraine said demining operations had been completed around Oleshky and the operation was ready to begin, to deliver aid to residents and let some leave.
Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said two people were killed in the demining effort in the city.
Lubinets thanked Lantratova for her help in carrying out the mission and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for her mediation efforts.
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