A Ukrainian delegation has safely arrived in occupied Oleshky, where the evacuation operation has begun. The announcement was made by Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction.

“Evacuation and the distribution of humanitarian aid have started. The ceasefire remains in effect. More details will follow,” he said.

Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, shared footage of his meeting with residents of occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region. In the video, local people can be seen crying and expressing relief.

Lubinets said that the Ukrainian delegation had reached Oleshky without incident.

“The ceasefire has now lasted for 80 hours and remains in place. I am speaking with local residents to learn about their needs and determine what assistance is most urgently required. I will provide further information later,” he said.

Residents said they were happy to have an opportunity to leave the city. They also noted that many people are still staying in Oleshky. “That is their personal decision,” Lubinets responded, adding that those who remain must still receive humanitarian support.

Lubinets also said journalists had arrived with the delegation. Residents reacted warmly after recognizing a reporter from the 1+1 television channel.

Details of the evacuation from Oleshky

During a question-and-answer session in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi initially stated that 527 people had chosen to leave Oleshky for territory controlled by the Ukrainian government.

Later, however, he corrected the statement.

“I mistakenly reported the number of people expected to be evacuated from Oleshky. I apologize. There are no precise figures at this time. The rescue operation is continuing, and the data are changing,” he said.

Koretskyi added that official numbers would be released once the evacuation process is complete.

“By 2 p.m. today, preliminary medical examinations of those preparing to travel to Ukrainian-controlled territory are expected to be completed. After the first assessment, the information will be sent to Ukraine’s Health Ministry, including personal medical records, so that we can prepare for their arrival as quickly and effectively as possible,” he said.

According to him, Oleshky residents will then follow a “complicated route” through Belarus before crossing into Ukraine.

“Additional examinations, initial medical assistance, and essential supplies for the first period will be provided in Chernihiv and the Kyiv region,” Koretskyi said.

He added that evacuated residents would later be accommodated in different regions of Ukraine.

What is known about the humanitarian mission in Oleshky

Earlier, Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said preparations for the humanitarian mission in Oleshky were entering their final stage.

Lubinets said that people wishing to leave would be given the opportunity to do so until 2 p.m. on October 30. All necessary security measures were expected to be in place. Humanitarian aid distribution was scheduled to begin after 2:30 p.m.

Before the full-scale invasion, Oleshky had a population of around 24,000 people. According to the city military administration, about 2,000 residents remained there as of June 2026, including nearly 50 children. However, local residents who had left the city estimated that the actual number of people still in Oleshky could be closer to 3,000.

Other related updates

• Lubinets described how the ceasefire linked to the Oleshky mission affected life in Kherson.

• Residents of the Kherson region fear that shelling could intensify after the temporary ceasefire ends.

• Officials released details of the planned route for returning Ukrainians from Oleshky.