Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky arrive at Gomel airport in Belarus en route to Ukraine

In brief

• Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky in Kherson region were flown to Gomel airport in Belarus after a bus journey to Anapa.
• Rescue workers, medics and Red Cross volunteers met the group at a tent camp.
• The evacuees are to cross into Ukraine through the Nova Huta checkpoint.
• Only BelTA, a Belarusian state outlet, says preparations began in May; Ukrainian media do not confirm it.

Route from Oleshky to Gomel

The evacuees first travelled by bus from Oleshky to the Russian city of Anapa. They then spent several hours in the air on flights to Gomel. Ukrainian reporting puts the number of special flights at four (Першы самалёт з жыхарамі Алешак прызямліўся ў аэрапорце Гомеля – Nasza Niwa) (Гуманітарна місія в дії: евакуйовані з Олешок українці приземлилися в Гомелі й прямують на ... – com.ua).

Reception at the airport

The airport set up a full tent camp to receive the group. Rescue service specialists, medics and Red Cross volunteers began providing aid as soon as the passengers arrived. Children were offered play zones with cartoons.

Onward journey to Ukraine

The residents will wait at the airport before travelling to the Nova Huta checkpoint, where they will cross into Ukraine. Ukrainian media describe the operation as part of a humanitarian ceasefire.

Disputed start date

BelTA reported that preparations for the humanitarian mission had been under way since May (Misja humanitarna w Aleszkach przygotowywana była od maja – pol.belta.by). Ukrainian media reports do not confirm this timeline. No Ukrainian source gives a start date for the operation.

Situation in Oleshky

Ukrainian reporting describes the town as blocked and temporarily occupied.

Read also

• Oleshky Evacuation Under Way as Localized Truce Holds and Aid Convoy Arrives