US‑brokered ceasefire enables evacuation of Oleshky residents

Around 25 buses started evacuating Oleshky on Friday, with about 2,000 people still remaining in the town.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:28:07 GMT

Ukrainian and Russian humanitarian delegations began evacuating residents of the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, under a cease‑fire brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, according to CBS News and France 24.

What happened

At 09:00 local time the joint delegations arrived in Oleshky and set up aid distribution points. A convoy of 25 buses, each capable of carrying up to 30 passengers, started moving civilians out of the town. The evacuation route runs from Oleshky through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukrainian‑controlled territory. Local officials said roughly 2,000 residents remain in the city after the first wave of departures.

What the reports add

CBS News noted that the convoy also included ambulances delivering food and medicine, and quoted Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets saying that anyone wishing to leave would be given a safe opportunity while those staying would continue receiving humanitarian support. France 24 added that the cease‑fire, announced by Melania Trump, is set to end on Sunday evening and that some evacuees are being taken to the Russian Black Sea city of Anapa before flying onward to Belarus and then to Kyiv‑controlled areas. Both outlets reported that the cease‑fire was intended to allow humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations.

What was said

"Everyone who wishes to leave Oleshky will be given the opportunity to leave safely. At the same time, those who have decided to stay can stay and will receive all the necessary humanitarian support," Dmytro Lubinets told CBS News.

Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia told France 24, "The Ukrainian delegation, along with the evacuated residents of Oleshky, set off for Anapa. From there, they will fly to Belarus…"

How it came about

The evacuation follows a series of cease‑fire agreements coordinated by Melania Trump. The first temporary truce was announced on Oct. 23, with a start date of Oct. 29, and a later, longer‑lasting cease‑fire began on Oct. 27, lasting over 80 hours. Felo News previously covered the convoy departure (Evacuation convoy departs Oleshky under cease‑fire brokered by Melania Trump) and the initial cease‑fire coordination (Russia and Ukraine start Oleshky ceasefire coordinated by Melania Trump).

Key facts

Evacuation began on Oct. 30, 2026 with a convoy of 25 buses. (cbsnews.com)
The cease‑fire was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. (france24.com)
Approximately 2,000 residents remain in Oleshky after the first wave. (cbsnews.com)
Evacuees are routed through Russia and Belarus before reaching Ukrainian‑controlled areas. (france24.com)