Starving residents who survived on weeds are evacuated from Russian-held Ukrainian city of Oleshky under Melania Trump's ceasefire
Residents of Oleshky meet a Ukrainian delegation, as evacuees face a gruelling onward route through Russian-occupied territory to Anapa, then by plane to Gomel in Belarus, before crossing into Ukraine's Chernihiv region.Civilians gathered in Oleshky, the Russian-occupied city where up to 6,000 people — including 200 children — survived for weeks on garden weeds and pigeons before Friday's evacuation convoy arrived.
A convoy of 25 buses and ambulances entered Russian-occupied Oleshky on Friday under a localised ceasefire, marking the first joint Russia-Ukraine humanitarian operation in four and a half years of war. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets became the first Ukrainian official to enter Russian-occupied territory since the invasion began. Some 2,000 people had remained in the city, its population shrunk to one-twelfth of its pre-war size, with aerial images showing hollowed-out homes and anti-drone nets stretched across streets.
Ukrainian soldiers are now warning the ceasefire is cover for a mass Russian offensive against Kherson, expected to launch the moment the truce expires on Sunday.
Evacuees must travel through Russia to Anapa, then fly to Gomel in Belarus before crossing overland into Ukraine's Chernihiv region — despite Ukrainian-held territory lying just 5km away.
The Vatican played a role in securing the deal: Pope Leo XIV, just three days after lung cancer surgery, called Vladimir Putin directly from his hospital bed to press for the evacuation.
