Evacuation begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as residents leave frontline city

The evacuation of Russian-occupied Oleshky is underway following a US-brokered ceasefire, with buses transporting up to 750 residents out of the frontline Ukrainian city. Several hundred people have chosen to stay despite the lack of gas, electricity, and running water. The four-hour evacuation window, confirmed by Russian and Ukrainian authorities, involved 25 buses and ambulances for those with limited mobility. Evacuees will travel through Russian-occupied territory to Anapa, then fly to Belarus before crossing into Ukraine's Chernihiv region, while others may remain in Russian-held areas. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the first Ukrainian official to visit occupied territory since the war began, coordinated with Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova. The ceasefire, effective until November 1, has raised Ukrainian concerns about Russia using the pause to reinforce military positions along the Dnipro river.