In Ukraine, residents of the Russian-occupied town of Olechky, in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, were evacuated

There are only 2,000 souls left living in Olechky, compared to 24,000 in 2022. Residents of this town in southern Ukraine, under Russian occupation, where a humanitarian ceasefire is in force, were evacuated on Friday October 30, Russian and Ukrainian officials announced. “The Ukrainian delegation, accompanied by the evacuated residents of Olechky, set off for Anapa [in southern Russia]. From there, they will fly to Belarus, then return [to Ukraine] by bus,” Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia said on Telegram, without specifying how many residents were affected.

In a video posted on Telegram, Russian human rights ombudsman Iana Lantratova, who is in Olechky, said residents wanting to go to Russia and those wanting to go to Ukrainian-controlled territories were "boarding buses" to leave the town. “Evacuations and the distribution of humanitarian aid have begun,” added Davyd Arakhamia.

The Russian mediator released a video of people waiting to board buses. In other images broadcast by Iana Lantratova, residents are in front of their buildings with their belongings, ready to leave. Ukrainian mediator Dmytro Loubinets, for his part, published a video showing him talking with residents, several of whom thank him in tears. Authorities in both countries have assured that many residents want to stay, even if fighting resumes.