Oleshky evacuees reunite with families after truce opens crossing into Ukraine

Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky reunited with families in Ukrainian-held territory on Saturday following a major rescue operation under the most significant truce since Russia's full-scale invasion began four and a half years ago. The operation, which began Friday, saw evacuees travel by bus and plane through Russia and Belarus before crossing the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, where volunteers and aid groups welcomed them. An estimated 2,000 people remained in Oleshky when the truce took hold, with residents offered evacuation or continued stay with replenished supplies. The ceasefire in the Kherson region runs through Sunday evening, with first lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV helping broker the deal. Ukrainian authorities restricted details of the route to protect future missions, while both sides agreed to conduct regular humanitarian operations in the area.