Evacuees leave Russian-occupied Oleshky after years in combat zone

Summary

Civilians have left the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine after years in the combat zone, completing a harrowing 24-hour journey and reuniting with family and friends, according to The New York Times. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that starved residents returned to Ukraine during a rare local ceasefire. One resident told the paper she chopped grass and squash just to hold on, and risked riding a bicycle through minefields to get food for herself and her dog. The New York Times headline quotes evacuees describing their ordeal as “We Are Coming From Hell.”

Timeline

1. The New York Times

   31 Oct 2026, 21:43 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that civilians are safely out of Oleshky after enduring years in the combat zone and a harrowing 24-hour journey, and have reunited with family and friends.

2. The New York Times

   31 Oct 2026, 21:43 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times’ Top Stories version reports under the headline “We Are Coming From Hell” that evacuees from the Ukrainian city of Oleshky tell survival stories after their escape.

3. Sydney Morning Herald

   1 Nov 2026, 01:34 UTCSource ↗

   The Sydney Morning Herald reports that starved residents of Oleshky returned to Ukraine during a rare local ceasefire, and quotes a resident saying she chopped grass and squash to survive and risked riding a bicycle through minefields to get food for herself and her dog.