Civilians evacuate Russian occupied Oleshky as localized ceasefire holds in Ukraine

A localized humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky entered its fourth day on Friday, October 30, according to Euronews and France 24. France 24 and the BBC both reported that evacuations of starving and exhausted residents began on Friday, while military units cleared landmines to allow an aid convoy to enter. [2][3][4][5][6]

According to France 24, the localized truce between Kyiv and Moscow was brokered by United States First Lady Melania Trump. The BBC reported that the ceasefire applied to the frontline Kherson region, describing it as the longest and most widespread truce since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Residents wanting to leave were given a four-hour window on Friday to evacuate, the BBC added. [3][4][11]

United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher stated on social media that every day the ceasefire holds brings hope, urging that humanitarian access be expanded on both sides of the frontline, UN News reported. Speaking to journalists on Friday evening, Russian representative Yana Lantratova and her Ukrainian counterpart put out a joint request to Melania Trump to coordinate regular humanitarian missions, according to the BBC. [1][4]

As FTMQ World reported earlier, hundreds of residents were evacuated from the southern Ukrainian town on Friday after a convoy of buses and ambulances delivered food and medicine. While some civilians left, hundreds of residents are understood to have remained in the frontline town despite ongoing dangers, the BBC reported. [4][14][15]