Over 75 hours of ceasefire: Ukraine's human rights commissioner arrives in Armiansk, 25 buses ready for evacuation from Oleshky

Anastasia Prots — 30 October, 10:00

Photo: mipl.org.ua

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets has reported that the ceasefire for the humanitarian mission to Oleshky has been holding for over 75 hours. The Ukrainian team is in Armiansk, where 25 buses with a total capacity of at least 750 passengers have been prepared to evacuate residents.

Source: Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Lubinets on X (Twitter); Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova

Quote from Lubinets: "We have now had a ceasefire between Ukraine and the Russian Federation for more than 75 hours. Special thanks to the people overseeing and monitoring the ceasefire process. Neither side has violated the ceasefire even once."

Details: The Ukrainian official noted that this is the first time since 2022 that a ceasefire has been established over such a large section of the front and has lasted this long.

Lubinets said the humanitarian mission was effectively launched on 23 October. Since then, he and Lantratova have been coordinating technical issues on a daily basis. Following his arrival the day before, the parties held another meeting and plan to travel together to Oleshky on 30 October.

Humanitarian Mission in Oleshky: Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Everyone in Need ℹ️ We are currently in Armiansk, working alongside Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova and coordinating further steps within the framework of this mission. Journalists from three countries have also joined us to cover the mission. Everything has now been prepared to a high standard. We are delivering humanitarian aid to the residents of Oleshky. Our main task is to ensure that this assistance reaches every person in need. Particular attention is being paid to older people, persons with disabilities, and anyone who is unable to care for themselves due to their health condition or other circumstances. Twenty-five buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers have been prepared, along with ambulances for people with limited mobility. ❗️Another equally important priority is ensuring that civilians have the opportunity to leave the city. Everyone who wishes to leave Oleshky will be given the opportunity to do so safely. At the same time, those who decide to remain will be able to stay and will receive all the necessary humanitarian assistance. At this stage, it is equally important that both sides observe the ceasefire. I would also like to express my special gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We continue our work. I thank Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova for her cooperation in carrying out this mission. ☝️Special thanks to U.S. @FLOTUS for her mediation and coordination efforts. Our work is ongoing. I will keep you informed about further steps and results.
— Dmytro Lubinets (@lubinetzs) October 30, 2026

The mission aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the city's residents and facilitate the departure of those who wish to leave. Lubinets noted that assistance will be provided both to people who want to leave for Ukrainian-controlled territory and to those who wish to go to the Russian Federation. Residents who decide to remain in Oleshky will receive humanitarian support.

Quote from Lantratova: "The humanitarian aid was put together according to the needs reported to us by the people. This includes food, hygiene products, everything essential, medical supplies, fuel – everything people need."

Details: According to the Russian representative, 25 buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers, special transport for about 30 bedridden individuals, and nine ambulances have been prepared for the evacuation. She stated that over 50 medical staff are working with the convoy.

Lantratova also reported that the buses are stocked with water and dry rations. A separate bus with cages has been allocated for transporting pets, and another bus has been designated for luggage.

Quote from Lantratova: "People who have made the decision to leave will have the opportunity to register and board the buses until 14:00. The distribution of humanitarian aid will take place after 14:00."

Details: She explained that boarding the buses and distributing aid were scheduled at different times to avoid crowding.

Lantratova also stated that two people had been killed whilst the mission was being prepared, including a bomb-disposal expert during demining operations. She did not specify the circumstances of the second person's death.

Journalists from Ukraine, the US and Russia have joined in covering the mission. Lubinets expressed hope that the experience of assisting Oleshky residents could be applied to humanitarian missions in other towns and villages.

Both officials thanked US First Lady Melania Trump for her mediation. According to Lubinets, her team has been facilitating the mission since 20 October.

Background:

Davyd Arakhamiia, the head of the Servant of the People faction who is involved in organising the operation, reported on 29 October that a delegation of representatives from Ukraine, the US and Russia had arrived at the location from which aid was to be delivered to temporarily occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast the following day.
Under the agreements between the Russian and Ukrainian sides, the evacuation route for residents of Oleshky will run via Russia and Belarus to Ukraine.
Earlier, US television channel Fox News published a document signed by Russian commissioner Yana Lantratova which stated that Oleshky residents who wish to evacuate to Ukraine will initially be taken to Anapa airport in Russia's Krasnodar Krai. From Anapa, the Ukrainian delegation and Oleshky residents will be taken to Homiel (Gomel) airport in Belarus on a Russian Defence Ministry military transport plane. This is likely to take place on Saturday 31 October.

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Oleshky evacuation