Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky have arrived in Ukrainian-controlled territory on October 31 after a 19-hour journey. They crossed the border from Belarus in Chernihiv Oblast to an emotional reception from relatives, medical teams, aid workers, and officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the success of the humanitarian mission and thanked all involved, including U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reported that the oldest person evacuated is 94 years old and the youngest is just over one year old. Pets were also brought out, including dogs, cats, a parrot, and a raccoon. Many residents described harsh conditions under occupation, including severe shortages of food, water, and electricity, frequent drone and missile strikes, and mined roads that made earlier escape nearly impossible. One family had been trapped on the eighth floor of a damaged building with destroyed staircases; another man survived 16 drone attacks and four missile strikes on his home.

The operation followed a temporary ceasefire mediated with U.S. involvement that allowed aid deliveries and safe departure. Residents first traveled to Armiansk in occupied Crimea, where they could choose between heading to Russia or Ukraine. Those going to Ukraine continued via Anapa in Russia, flew to Belarus, and then crossed into Chernihiv Oblast. Exact numbers heading to Ukrainian territory have not been released for security reasons, though reports indicated the majority of the roughly 750 registered people chose Ukraine. Lubinets called it an extraordinarily important moment, noting that people who had waited so long were finally safe.