The evacuation of Oleshky begins in the context of a localized ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia negotiated by FLOTUS

Designated roads into the town had been cleared of mines. A convoy of 25 buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers, as well as nine ambulances and more than 50 medical professionals, had been prepared to help residents leave, according to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova.

“People who want to leave for the territory of the Russian Federation are gathering here,” Lantratova said in a video posted Friday from the city. “There are also people there who want to leave for Ukrainian territory. Everyone will have the opportunity to do so. People are gradually getting on the buses.”

Ukrainian officials also said they were on the ground.

“We are in Oleshky!” Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said in a statement, adding that the ceasefire had now lasted for more than 80 hours. “I am now speaking with local residents on the ground to find out their needs and understand what help they need most. »

Kyrylo Budanov, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cabinet, said in a statement that it was an “important operation, which must be continued. For Ukraine, the life of every citizen matters. We continue to work.”

Russian forces seized Olechky at the start of the 2022 invasion and fighting has since devastated the town. The dominance of drones in this conflict makes air travel extremely dangerous, and services and supplies have deteriorated sharply since May.

Oleshky’s population, which numbered more than 20,000 before the invasion, fell to around 2,000, with those who remained surviving on tiny amounts of grain and edible weeds.