Key facts
- Volunteer fears Oleshky could be 'wiped off the face of the earth' if civilians remain after evacuations.
- A U.S.-mediated ceasefire is scheduled to begin Oct. 27 to allow for civilian evacuation and aid delivery.
- Over 6,000 people, including 200 children, may still be in Oleshky and surrounding areas, according to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman.
An evacuation volunteer expressed fears that the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky could face severe destruction if civilians remain after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire allows for their departure. Kseniia Arkhipova told the Kyiv Independent on Oct. 26 that the town might be 'wiped off the face of the earth' if reports of mass evacuations lead to the remaining population being forgotten. She urged residents to consider leaving due to escalating dangers and lack of aid access. The ceasefire is scheduled to begin on Oct. 27 to facilitate evacuations and humanitarian aid delivery. Oleshky, located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, has been under Russian occupation and faces a severe humanitarian crisis.