Oleshky evacuations begin as ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump holds

The agreement was designed to get food and medicine into Oleshky and give civilians a way out. The Russian-occupied Ukrainian city had gone without electricity, gas or water for three years, and residents reported eating weeds to survive, BBC World reported.

US first lady Melania Trump announced the temporary humanitarian agreement the week before it took effect on October 27, according to The Hill. The White House later said she had helped negotiate the ceasefire and coordinate the relief mission, Euronews reported. NBC News also reported involvement by Pope Leo XIV.

On October 27, Russia and Ukraine began observing the localized ceasefire. Its purpose was practical: allow supplies in and help civilians leave through routes that needed clearing of land mines, according to NDTV News. Evacuations were planned for Friday.

The same day, Melania Trump said the ceasefire had been expanded beyond Oleshky's city limits, Deutschlandfunk reported. Fighting continued elsewhere in Ukraine, including Russian strikes on Kyiv, according to CBS Top Stories.

By October 28, Russian and Ukrainian officials said the truce had held for 30 hours without reported violations. The Independent described a six-day agreement intended to allow food and medicine deliveries to about 2,000 residents. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said it was agreed until November 1, France24 reported.

On October 29, the ceasefire was holding for a third day and a humanitarian mission was preparing to enter, The Globe and Mail reported. Reporting published that day by the Guardian said demining was under way to enable a humanitarian corridor.

On October 30, preparations became an active relief operation. A convoy containing Russian and Ukrainian humanitarian officials entered Oleshky, according to Al Jazeera. Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia also announced that food distribution had begun, Le Monde reported.

Evacuations are now under way, with both Russian and Ukrainian authorities confirming departures, according to BBC - Home. Food and medicine are also reaching the city, Arab News reported. The ceasefire has held for more than three days.

The reported evacuation figures describe different groups. The Financial Times reported that more than 500 residents would return to Ukraine via Russia and Belarus. DIE ZEIT reported that at least 750 people were expected to leave overall, while hundreds could remain after the ceasefire ends. Those figures are plans, not a confirmed total of completed departures.

The immediate deadline is Sunday evening, when the ceasefire is due to end, according to France24. How many residents can leave and how much aid can be delivered before then remain open questions.

The routes and destinations also matter. Earlier reporting by Euronews raised concerns about possible transfers through Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea. More recent reporting by DER SPIEGEL said residents could choose between Russian-occupied areas and Ukrainian-controlled territory. The practical test is whether those choices are available as the evacuations proceed.