Evacuees reunite with family at Ukrainian-Belarusian border after fleeing Oleshky

Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory Saturday during a major rescue operation under the most significant truce since Russia's full-scale invasion began 4½ years ago, reuniting with family at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. The ceasefire in Ukraine's southern Kherson region started Tuesday and runs through Sunday evening, with U.S. first lady Melania Trump helping broker the localized deal and Pope Leo XIV pressing both sides to allow aid. Volunteers from Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and World Central Kitchen greeted travelers, while evacuees ranged from age one to 94 and brought pets including dogs, cats, a parrot and a raccoon. An estimated 2,000 people remained in Oleshky when the truce took hold, offered evacuation to Ukrainian- or Russian-held territory or the option to stay with replenished supplies. Ukrainian authorities restricted route details to protect future missions, while Russia's human rights commissioner said both sides agreed to conduct regular humanitarian missions in the area.