Oleshky Evacuation: 500 residents may leave as mine clearing begins

Mine-clearing operations started on the road to Oleshky at 8 a.m. on October 27, four hours after a local ceasefire took effect.

The town in Ukraine's Kherson region has been cut off since 2022. Russian forces occupied the settlement, and the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023 flooded access routes. All roads leading to the Dnipro River town were subsequently mined, isolating the population from outside support.

Approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky. Myroslava Kharchenko, a lawyer for the Save Ukraine Foundation, said her group has rescued at least 300 civilians over the past six months. She stated that the foundation estimates around 500 people may be evacuated in the current operation. The evacuation is planned to occur in stages rather than a single day to manage logistics and safety.

Residents are currently filling out registration forms shared through closed local chat groups. Organizers are verifying dates of birth and current addresses. They are also collecting contact information for neighbors and relatives to help locate people, as communication networks in the area are unreliable. Medical staff are gathering data on the health of those leaving, including those with limited mobility or recovering from blast and mine-related injuries.

The exact route for the evacuation has not been publicly confirmed. Kharchenko said a river route appears dangerous and unconfirmed. She suggested the path likely passes through Russian-controlled territory before reaching Ukrainian government-controlled areas. Military officials have requested strict confidentiality from all personnel involved in the operation. They warned that careless remarks or actions could jeopardize the entire effort.

Skepticism persists among those still trapped in the town. Kharchenko noted that residents are afraid due to previous failed attempts to establish humanitarian corridors. Some may wait to see if the initial phase succeeds before attempting to leave. She described the atmosphere as one of high suspicion driven by uncertainty and past provocations.

Logistical challenges remain inside the city. Kharchenko pointed out that many streets within Oleshky are mined. She noted that a hospital and a nearby morgue require attention. Bodies in the morgue need to be identified and causes of death established, a process that takes time regardless of military speed. She did not specify if these locations are included in the current corridor plan.

Kharchenko acknowledged the role of Melania Trump in drawing attention to the situation. She described the conditions in Oleshky as a humanitarian catastrophe and said she was grateful for Trump's efforts. She stated that the foundation will be more thankful once most people are safely removed from the combat zone.

Both Russian and Ukrainian sides have issued cautious statements about the operation. Kharchenko said it is difficult to predict a timeline because of the secrecy surrounding the mission. Mine clearance on external roads is a prerequisite, but internal street clearing will also be required before residents can move safely.