MINSK, Belarus — Three flights carrying residents evacuated from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky arrived in Belarus on Saturday, October 31, 2026, state media reported, marking a critical milestone in a multi-stage humanitarian operation enabled by a localized ceasefire.
The flights landed at Gomel Airport in southeastern Belarus after taking off from Anapa in southern Russia. The indirect circuitous transit route was established to bypass heavily mined front lines across the Dnipro River in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
The overall evacuation operation was set up with a transport capacity of up to 750 people across 25 buses, accompanied by ambulances for residents with limited mobility, allowing anyone wishing to leave Oleshky during the temporary ceasefire window to do so safely with an estimated 527 residents included in this specific evacuation corridor via Belarus.
Transit Corridor and Humanitarian Response
Upon arrival in Gomel, evacuees were received at a temporary transit camp set up at the airport, where medical personnel, emergency specialists, and Red Cross volunteers provided food, medical screenings, and psychological support.
Oleshky Evacuation & Transit Protocol Overview
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| CEASEFIRE EFFECTIVE DATE: October 27 – November 1, 2026 |
| BROKERING DIPLOMACY: US-Mediated / Melania Trump Ceasefire Initiative |
| TRANSIT STAGE 1: Overland Convoy from Oleshky to Anapa, Russia |
| TRANSIT STAGE 2: Air Charter (3 Flights) from Anapa to Gomel, Belarus |
| TRANSIT STAGE 3: Bus Transport to Novaya Guta / Chernihiv Border Crossing|
| KEY DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE: Dmytro Lubinets (Ukrainian Ombudsman) |
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The evacuees are scheduled to transfer onto buses heading toward the Novaya Guta border checkpoint, allowing them to cross back into Ukrainian-controlled territory in the Chernihiv region.
Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets and parliamentary delegation leader Davyd Arakhamia accompanied the humanitarian convoy from Oleshky to ensure safe passage alongside international monitors.
Ceasefire Framework and Diplomatic Background
The evacuation was conducted during an 87-hour localized ceasefire in the Oleshky area, which took effect on October 27 and is scheduled to remain active through November 1.
Ceasefire & Evacuation Operation Timeline
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| OCT 23: Ceasefire framework announced following US mediation. |
| OCT 27: Localized ceasefire takes effect (03:00 Kyiv Time). |
| OCT 30: Ukrainian delegation arrives in Oleshky; aid delivered. |
| OCT 30 (PM): Evacuation convoy departs Oleshky for Anapa. |
| OCT 31 (AM): 3 evacuation flights land at Gomel Airport, Belarus. |
| OCT 31 (PM): Scheduled bus transfer to Ukrainian border checkpoints. |
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The temporary cessation of hostlities permitted engineers to clear landmines along access routes into Oleshky, allowing humanitarian aid to enter the town for the first time in months while providing safe exit for residents seeking to return to Ukrainian-controlled areas.
Both Ukrainian and Belarusian authorities confirmed that border transfer procedures will proceed throughout Saturday to complete the repatriation of the evacuees.
Evacuation Flights Pictures from US Free Archive [Public Domain Picture]
