Hundreds of people and pets have been evacuated from the frontline war zone to other parts of Ukraine following a ceasefire agreement called for by Pope Leo XIV and successfully negotiated with the help of United States First Lady Melania Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrivals in a statement posted on X on Saturday, stating that the individuals and pets had arrived from Oleshky, in the Kherson region, following mine clearance operations in the area.
“A humanitarian operation to rescue people in Oleshky, in the Kherson region, has taken place. A ceasefire was established in the Kherson sector, during which roads to Oleshky were cleared of mines and humanitarian aid was delivered. We hope humanitarian access to Oleshky will remain open,” Mr Zelensky said.
According to CNN, one of the evacuees was a woman identified as Larissa, who had not seen her husband, Dmytro, for 1,711 days. He had been waiting for her at the Ukraine-Belarus border.
Speaking further, Mr Zelensky revealed that more people needing evacuation had relocated from Oleshky to the Ukrainian border in the Chernihiv region, noting that humanitarian assistance would be provided to them.
“Also, people who needed evacuation have been taken out of the city and the surrounding community. As of now, Ukrainian citizens from Oleshky have crossed the Ukrainian border in the Chernihiv region. All of them will receive the assistance they need. It is important that government agencies and all the regional and local authorities involved work effectively and help our people adapt,” the president stated.
Mr Zelensky subsequently thanked Ms Trump and the Defence Forces of Ukraine for making the evacuation possible.
