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Following a ceasefire that took effect in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region on October 27, preparations have begun to evacuate residents trapped there. Around 2,000 people remain in the town, which has been cut off since Russian occupation in 2022 and subsequent flooding from the Kakhovka dam destruction in 2023.
Preparations and Mine-Clearing Operations
Myroslava Kharchenko, a lawyer with the Save Ukraine Foundation, told Deutsche Welle: DW.com that mine-clearing operations on the road began at around 8 a.m. following the 3 a.m. Kyiv time ceasefire. She noted that activities inside Oleshky are managed by the military and kept strictly confidential to avoid jeopardizing the operation. Organizers are currently collecting data through closed local chat groups, gathering registration lists, verifying personal details, and assessing the health conditions of individuals needing medical assistance.
Evacuation Routes and Expected Numbers
Regarding the path out of the town, Kharchenko stated that a river route via the Dnipro River is considered extremely dangerous and unconfirmed, making a route through temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory and potentially Russia more likely. Organizers estimate that about 500 people may eventually be evacuated across multiple stages, allowing those who leave safely initially to encourage others who remain fearful due to past provocations.
Humanitarian Concerns and Timeline
Kharchenko expressed gratitude to Melania Trump for highlighting the humanitarian crisis, describing the situation as a genocide committed by the Russian Federation. The timeline for the physical evacuation remains uncertain due to the extensive mine-clearing required both on access roads and within the city streets. Additional humanitarian tasks, such as evacuating a local hospital and recovering bodies from a nearby morgue for identification, will also require significant time.
