A landmark evacuation and humanitarian aid mission was underway Friday inside a devastated Russian-occupied city in Ukraine, during a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump and with the involvement of Pope Leo XIV.Ukrainian officials have described the operation in Oleshky as one of the most significant pauses in fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four-and-a-half years ago.However, any sense that the ceasefire might yield wider progress in the war were tempered by Russian missile strikes on other Ukrainian cities ahead of what is predicted to be a bitter winter for residents of the invaded country.Some Ukrainians in the city were also worried about where they would end up after being evacuated.
Though Oleshky is just across the Dnipro River from Ukrainian-held Kherson, the planned escape route to Ukrainian-controlled territory runs through Russia and its ally Belarus.Some residents told Sky News they feared they would not be allowed to continue into Ukraine, leaving them weighing whether to board the buses or remain in the devastated city.Designated routes into the city had been cleared of mines.
A convoy of 25 buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers, along with nine ambulances and more than 50 medical professionals, had been prepared to help residents leave, according to Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova.A disabled man is evacuated to a safe area in Kherson amid a local ceasefire and humanitarian aid mission in nearby Oleshky, Ukraine on Thursday.Evgeniy Maloletka / AP“People who wish to leave for the territory of the Russian Federation are gathering here,” Lantratova said in a video from the city posted Friday.“Over there are also people who wish to leave for the territory of Ukraine.
Everyone will be given the opportunity to do so.People are gradually boarding the buses.”Ukrainian representatives also said they were on the ground.For SubscribersFOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP former Sen.
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