Some Oleshky residents unable to evacuate report lack of information and fear of Russian filtration
In the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson Region (Oblast), civilians remain who wish to relocate to Ukrainian-controlled territory but were unable to use the recent evacuation, the head of the Oleshky City Military Administration, Tetiana Hasanenko, reported. Some residents were unaware of the evacuation due to a lack of communications, while others were unable to reach collection points or feared Russian filtration.
Photo credit: Associated PressHasanenko said in an interview with the news agency Ukrinform that during the ceasefire, some residents remained in basements without communication and did not know that leaving was an option. Others did not believe the evacuation would be safe, fearing checks by Russian forces.
Among those unable to leave were people with limited mobility. They were unable to reach the collection point near the hospital on their own and were waiting for transport to be organised by Russian occupying authorities. Some people did not wait long enough for the evacuation buses on the highway and returned home, assuming the convoy had already passed.
Hasanenko said the situation in the occupied Oleshky “hromada”, a local government area that includes one or more nearby settlements, remains dangerous. She reported that after the ceasefire ended, a drone strike reportedly killed a former headteacher, Kostiantyn Melnyk, based on information the administration received.
Furthermore, the military administration has received reports that some residents have yet to receive the humanitarian aid delivered during the humanitarian mission. Residents who received food items have complained that the quantity was insufficient. Hasanenko stressed that the administration has no way to verify these reports independently.
Ukrainian local authorities, in cooperation with state institutions and charitable organisations, are currently assisting those who have been evacuated. Many people left without documents or have outdated registration data. They are being helped to restore documents, access necessary medical care and find housing.
According to Hasanenko, support will be provided according to each person’s needs. Additionally, residents of the hromada who left the occupied territory between 1 September 2026 and the recent evacuation are eligible to receive aid of 5,000 hryvnias each (approximately US$110 or €98).
Between 27 October 2026 and 1 November, a ceasefire agreed by Ukraine and Russia with the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump was in effect in the Oleshky area. This allowed humanitarian aid to be delivered to the city and the evacuation of civilians to be organised via Russia and Belarus.
On 31 October, Oleshky residents arrived in Ukrainian-controlled territory. The oldest person evacuated was 94, and the youngest was just over a year old.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society plans to provide evacuated families with a one-time payment of 52,375 hryvnias (approximately US$1,153 or €1,026) per household. The funds can be used for rent, medicine, clothing and other necessities.
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