Residents begin leaving Russian-occupied Oleshky in first joint Russia-Ukraine evacuation

Summary

Residents of Oleshky, a southern Ukrainian town held by Russia, began evacuating on Friday, October 30, as part of a joint relief operation by the two sides. The operation is the first of its kind in four years and eight months of war. Reports described the residents as starving and exhausted. On the same day, Kyiv's prime minister said the number of residents planning to leave for Ukrainian-held territory was still being determined.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   30 Oct 2026, 10:16 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Kyiv's prime minister said on Friday that the number of residents planning to evacuate Oleshky for Ukrainian-held territory is still being determined.

2. Straits Times

   30 Oct 2026, 15:21 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that residents of the Russian-held town of Oleshky began evacuating on Friday, October 30, as part of a joint relief operation by Russia and Ukraine, the first of its kind in four years and eight months of war.

3. France 24

   30 Oct 2026, 16:01 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that starving and exhausted residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky were being evacuated on Friday, October 30, as part of a joint relief operation involving the opposing sides, the first operation of its kind in four years and eight months of war.