Melania Trump-brokered evacuation begins in Ukraine amid fears over escape route

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. Humanitarian teams from both sides were on the ground early Friday, with the first lady posting to X that they were “delivering aid and preparing the convoy for civilian evacuation.” However, any sense that the ceasefire might yield wider progress in the war was tempered by Russian missile strikes on other cities ahead of what is predicted to be a bitter winter for Ukraine. Some Ukrainians in the city were also worried about where they would end up after being evacuated. Though Oleshky is just across the Dnieper 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. “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. “We are in Oleshky!” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said in a statement, adding that the ceasefire had now lasted more than 80 hours. “I am now speaking with local residents on the ground to hear about their needs and to understand what help they need most.” Kyrylo Budanov, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, said in a statement that it was “an important operation, and it must be continued. For Ukraine, the life of every citizen matters. We keep working.” Russian forces seized Oleshky in the early stages of the 2022 invasion and fighting has devastated the city since. The dominance of drone warfare in this conflict makes aboveground travel extremely dangerous, and services and supplies have deteriorated sharply since May. Oleshky’s pre-invasion population of more than 20,000 has dwindled to an estimated 2,000, with those left behind surviving on tiny amounts of grain and edible weeds. This perilous situation caught the attention of Leo, who called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16 to express his “deep concern” and urge a pause in fighting to allow evacuations and aid deliveries. The first lady’s office said she learned of the city’s plight during a United Nations gathering in September and used contacts developed through her efforts to reunite Ukrainian children with their families to help broker the truce. Both sides have praised her contribution. The ceasefire was announced Oct. 23 and took effect Tuesday. It is due to expire at 10:59 p.m. Sunday, Kyiv time (3:59 p.m. ET). Asked if the truce could be used as a blueprint for ceasefires in other locations, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Monday that “for humanitarian purposes — it absolutely could.” That was “especially given the direct, highly positive, and coordinating involvement of the American side — American negotiators and U.S. first lady Melania Trump — in this process,” he added. “We greatly value these efforts, and, certainly, this could set a precedent.” Outside this relative pocket of calm, however, the war ground on. Ukraine’s air force said Russian strikes had hit 17 locations overnight, while its air defenses had shot down or suppressed 96 drones and three missiles. Meanwhile, drone manufacturer Fire Point said Ukraine had used its FP-1 drones to strike the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region. Ukrainian officials have not commented.