First Crimea or Russia. "FT" reveals the behind-the-scenes of the evacuation of civilians from Ołeszki

According to information revealed by the Financial Times, people who decide to evacuate from Oleski will first be transported to Crimea or Russia. Only later will they be able to return to the areas controlled by Ukraine. "People who agree to evacuation are to be transported to Crimea or Russia before they can return to Ukraine," the newspaper emphasizes, citing sources familiar with the course of negotiations.

Ceasefire and road demining

The local ceasefire agreement entered into force on the night from Monday to Tuesday. Its aim is to enable the evacuation of civilians trapped in the frontline town of Oleski, where approximately 2,000 people are under fire from both armies and suffer from serious food shortages. The Russians are to start demining the roads leading to the city. Buses are scheduled to take out the residents on Thursday morning, and those who decide to stay will receive humanitarian aid.

The ceasefire is valid until November 1 and is the result of intensive diplomatic efforts. US First Lady Melania Trump was supposed to help reach the agreement. Earlier, Pope Leo XIV appealed by telephone to Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire. In recent weeks, there have also been meetings between the US president's special envoy and Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.

Dramatic situation of residents

According to the authorities in Kiev, the situation in Oleski is critical. The exit roads are mined and Russian drones constantly patrol the area. Russia will do everything in its power to clear the roads so that these people go towards Russia and stay there, warned President Zelensky in an interview for Ukrainian television. Our citizens and society must be prepared for how Russia will present it: "Look, we see thousands of people who really want to go to Russia, and these fascists shot at them," he added.

"FT" wrote that one of the residents who fled the city in 2023 said that, according to people staying in Ołeszki, the situation became critical a year ago, when leaving the city by car became more and more dangerous. A humanitarian organization volunteer who helped people escape was killed in January when his vehicle hit a mine hidden under the snow.

This summer, drone footage of the main road out of Ołeszki showed the route strewn with burnt-out vehicles.

According to the authorities in Kiev, the situation of the people who remained in Oleski is dramatic.