Evacuated Oleshky residents share first moments in Ukrainian-held territory

Evacuated residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region have shared their first impressions after returning to Ukrainian-controlled territory, with some saying they still do not fully grasp what happened. The evacuees' emotional accounts were published by Ukraine's ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram. One woman, crying, said she had dreamed of Ukraine coming to Oleshky rather than residents fleeing to Ukraine, noting many people there want Ukraine to return. Another resident recalled passengers quietly singing the Ukrainian national anthem on the bus, saying they had grown accustomed to being quiet under occupation but had not forgotten the anthem. A third woman said she needs time to believe the situation is real, while a young boy admitted he was initially scared during the evacuation but thanked those who arranged the safe passage. The residents were evacuated via Belarus, traveling by bus from Russia to Anapa, then by plane to Gomel, and finally by bus to the Ukrainian border in Chernihiv region. The humanitarian operation was organized with mediation from former US First Lady Melania Trump, with medical staff accompanying the evacuees. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised necessary assistance and support for their adaptation.