Safe Evacuation of Oleshky Residents Achieved via Alternative Route Coordinated with Ukrainian Forces and Security Services

Evacuation of Oleshky Residents

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Residents of the occupied town of Oleshky were evacuated along a carefully planned alternative route, avoiding direct passage across the Dnipro River to Kherson due to potential security risks for Ukraine’s defense. This humanitarian operation was coordinated with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service (SBU), and intelligence agencies. During the evacuation, essential supplies including food, drinking water, medicines, fuel for generators, and specialized hospital equipment were delivered to Oleshky. Some residents chose to remain in the city voluntarily.

On October 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful border crossing of those evacuated from Oleshky. Approximately fifty Red Cross ambulances, Doctors Without Borders representatives, and volunteers assisting with animal evacuation were waiting on the Ukrainian side. Notably, evacuees were able to bring their pets with them. The oldest person evacuated was 94 years old, while the youngest was just over one year.

Establishment of the Civilian Return Coordination Center

On November 2, Dmytro Lubinets revealed the launch of a new Civilian Return Coordination Center tasked with managing the release of prisoners and facilitating the return of civilians from occupied territories. He emphasized that the evacuation route had been developed based on intelligence from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stating:

“No alternative was ever proposed. On the contrary, I was warned not to support the Russian proposal for demining and creating a direct corridor from Oleshky to Kherson. This is a frontline area, and we will not agree to anything that weakens Ukraine’s defense. That route was never considered.” – Dmytro Lubinets

The primary objectives during route planning were to ensure the safety of civilians and to complete the mission swiftly.

• Protecting the evacuees
• Executing the operation as quickly as possible

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the agreement regarding Oleshky as an isolated incident and stated there are no plans for similar operations in the future.

The situation in and around Oleshky remains tense due to ongoing military activity. Evacuating civilians and delivering humanitarian aid remain critical to safeguarding the population. The creation of the Civilian Return Coordination Center reflects Ukraine’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges of returning residents from occupied zones while maintaining strong national defense.

As the evacuation of Oleshky residents progresses, authorities are taking additional measures to ensure ongoing support for those affected by the conflict. This includes not only the safe transport of civilians but also the establishment of vital aid channels. For further insights into the plans for securing safe evacuations and continuous assistance in Oleshky, read more about the ongoing relief efforts here.