Ukrainians evacuated from Oleshky — a Kherson-region town under Russian occupation since the start of the war — described constant shelling and harsh living conditions. To get food they passed minefields; to reach Kyiv-controlled territory they travelled via Crimea, Russia and Belarus, Digi24 reports.

Many said they hoped until the last moment that the situation would change and peace would come so they would not have to leave. “Our dreams did not come true,” one summarised.

Survival meant grass and courgettes, bicycle runs toward Radensk for animal feed past mines. “We saw dead people. We raced straight through blood,” one evacuee said. Homes — including a grandfather’s — burned. Others spoke of aid boxes delivered by drone that saved them from starvation.

The route: bus to occupied Crimea, then Russia, a flight to Belarus and finally Ukraine. Digi24 links the evacuation to a humanitarian pause that began last Tuesday — citing Melania Trump’s role and papal support — due to expire Sunday evening.

One man said that for those still under occupation it matters enormously that someone remembers them, calls them and passes on news.

Image: evacuation of vulnerable people, Kyiv (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0).

Sources consulted: “We escaped hell”. Testimonies of Ukrainians evacuated from an occupied town - Digi24.