Hundreds of Oleshky Residents Arrive in Belarus via Evacuation Mission

An evacuation mission has transported residents from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky to Belarus under a regional truce expected to last through the weekend. Four aircraft carrying the evacuees landed on Saturday in the south-eastern Belarusian town of Gomel, according to Ukrainian parliament member David Arakhamia. Belarusian state media reported that rescue personnel, medical staff, and Red Cross volunteers were present to receive the group upon arrival.

Civilians began leaving the region in bus convoys on Friday following years of conflict that created severe medicine and food shortages in Oleshky. Residents were given the option to stay in the city with resupplied aid, move to Russian-controlled territory, or travel to areas under Ukrainian control. While neither Russia nor Ukraine disclosed precise departure figures, U.S. first lady Melania Trump stated that the humanitarian convoy safely evacuated more than 750 individuals.

Hundreds of Oleshky residents were safely transported to Belarus during a regional evacuation truce.

Russian ombudswoman Yana Lantratova confirmed that additional buses also carried residents who chose to relocate to Russia. Arakhamia noted that the group arriving in Gomel was scheduled to proceed into Ukrainian territory shortly. The mission followed appeals from Pope Leo XIV and other diplomatic efforts urging both nations to permit civilian evacuations and aid deliveries.

Why it matters

Four planes transporting evacuees from the war-ravaged city have arrived in Belarus's Gomel. This rare regional truce and subsequent civilian movement alter the immediate living conditions for thousands affected by prolonged hostilities and severe shortages in Oleshky.