In a series of emotional scenes at checkpoints along the Dnipro River, residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky have finally crossed back into Ukrainian-controlled territory. After months of isolation and deteriorating conditions under occupation, the returnees were met with tears, embraces, and relief from family members who had feared for their safety.
Oleshky, a small town in Kherson Oblast, has been under Russian control since the early days of the full-scale invasion. For the civilians who remained, life has become increasingly unbearable: shortages of food, medicine, and electricity, constant shelling, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear. Many had been waiting for any opportunity to leave, and the recent fragile ceasefire has finally opened a narrow window for evacuation.
A narrow corridor of hope
The evacuations, which began earlier this week, are being conducted under a local truce brokered with the help of international mediators. The agreement has allowed aid convoys to enter Oleshky and civilians to depart, though the situation remains precarious. Ukrainian officials have urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity, warning that the ceasefire could collapse at any moment.
Among those who made it out was 67-year-old Valentyna, who spoke to reporters after crossing the front line. "I never thought I would see my daughter again," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "The last time we spoke, she was crying, and I didn't know if I would survive the winter." Her daughter, Oksana, had been living in Ukrainian-held Kherson and had spent months trying to arrange her mother's escape.
The reunions have been particularly poignant for families that had been separated for over a year. Many of the returnees are elderly or infirm, and some have chronic health conditions that went untreated under occupation. Local volunteers and medics were on hand at the reception points to provide immediate assistance, including warm clothing, food, and basic medical care.
Living conditions under occupation
Those who have left describe a town in ruins. "There was no water, no gas, no electricity for weeks at a time," said 54-year-old Serhiy, who arrived with his wife and two grandchildren. "The Russians took over the hospital and turned it into a military base. People were dying because they couldn't get insulin or heart medication."
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned about the dire situation in occupied territories, where access for international aid is severely restricted. The evacuation effort is being coordinated by Ukrainian authorities in partnership with the Red Cross and other agencies, but the numbers remain small relative to the estimated thousands still trapped in the town.
For those who have made it out, the psychological toll is immense. Many report being interrogated by Russian forces, having their phones confiscated, and being subjected to constant surveillance. "They told us we were traitors for wanting to leave," said 38-year-old Iryna, who fled with her two children. "But we couldn't stay. There was nothing left for us there."
Uncertain future
The returnees now face an uncertain future in Ukrainian-controlled territory. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods, and the region remains under constant threat of renewed Russian attacks. Ukrainian authorities have promised to provide temporary housing and financial support, but resources are stretched thin.
Despite the challenges, the mood at the reception centers is one of relief and hope. "I am just grateful to be alive and to have my family back," said Valentyna, clutching a small bag of belongings. "We will rebuild, somehow. We have to."
The situation in Oleshky remains fluid, and the ceasefire is fragile. Ukrainian officials have called on the international community to pressure Russia to allow more evacuations and to ensure the safety of civilians who choose to leave. Meanwhile, the evacuees who have reached Belarus under the same truce are being processed and offered onward travel, though many are wary of the route.
As the war enters its third year, the human cost continues to mount. For the families reunited this week, the ordeal is far from over, but the tears of joy at these checkpoints offer a rare glimmer of humanity amid the devastation.
