Zelensky: Humanitarian operation in Oleshky successful, evacuees already in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media that a humanitarian operation in the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky, in Ukraine's Kherson region, has been carried out successfully. All Ukrainian citizens evacuated from the town have already crossed the state border in the Chernihiv region, meaning people who needed help have left the occupied territory.

Ceasefire and aid

According to the president, a temporary ceasefire was agreed on the Kherson front to make the operation possible. During that time, roads to Oleshky were cleared of mines, humanitarian cargo was delivered, and people in need of assistance were evacuated from the town and the surrounding community.

Zelensky said: "As of now, Ukrainian citizens from Oleshky have crossed Ukraine's border in the Chernihiv region. All of them will be given the necessary assistance."

Thanks and appeals

The president expressed hope that humanitarian access to Oleshky will continue and urged government bodies and local authorities to help the evacuees settle in. He also thanked the United States and First Lady Melania Trump for mediation, the Defense Forces for ensuring security during the operation, and ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his team for carrying out the mission.

Earlier developments

As previously reported, the last of four aircraft used in the evacuation of Ukrainians from occupied Oleshky landed on the morning of 31 October in Gomel, Belarus.