Residents evacuated from Russia-occupied Oleshky return to Ukraine under a temporary truce

Summary

Evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday, October 31, in a major rescue operation. France 24 reports they travelled through Belarus during a rare truce brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. The city has been under Russian occupation since 2022 and was caught in intense fighting that left residents starving and unable to leave. CBS News reports that the civilians travelled by bus and plane through Russia and Belarus before returning to Ukraine, under a temporary, US-brokered deal arranged by Melania Trump. CBS News video reports that residents who had been living with limited food and electricity were evacuated and reunited with their families during the ceasefire, and that those who chose to stay in Oleshky were given emergency supplies.

Timeline

1. France 24

   31 Oct 2026, 12:45 UTCSource ↗

   Evacuees from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday after travelling through Belarus during a rare truce brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, in a major rescue operation.

2. CBS News

   31 Oct 2026, 14:47 UTCSource ↗

   Residents evacuated from the Russia-occupied city of Oleshky arrived back in Ukraine by bus and plane through Russia and Belarus, following a temporary, U.S.-brokered deal arranged by Melania Trump.

3. CBS News

   1 Nov 2026, 00:56 UTCSource ↗

   Residents of the Russian-occupied village of Oleshky, who had been living with limited food and electricity, were evacuated and reunited with their families during a temporary ceasefire negotiated by first lady Melania Trump, and those who stayed were given emergency supplies.