Three planes cargoed with residents from the Russian‑controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky landed at Gomel airport in Belarus on Saturday, the state news agency Belta reported. The evacuees had travelled by bus through the Crimean peninsula to the Russian town of Anapa before boarding the aircraft.
The journey began Friday, when starving and exhausted residents were moved by bus as part of a joint relief operation. The effort was the first between the opposing sides in more than four years of war, according to Belta.
According to the agency, the evacuees now await crossing into Ukraine via a border crossing near Gomel. The flights represent a new coordination channel and a small but significant step toward aid distribution.
Belta said that the residents, who had been under siege in Oleshky, were awaiting further instructions on how to enter Ukrainian territory. The operation highlights both humanitarian needs and diplomatic gestures amid ongoing conflict.
The arrival of the three aircraft illustrates a rare instance of evacuation cooperation, potentially opening a route for future relief shipments. It remains unclear how many residents will successfully cross into Ukraine and what support they will receive upon arrival.
