Oleshky, home to 24,000 people before the war, was seized by Russia during the first days of its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine now estimates some 6,000 people, including 200 children, remain in the city and its surrounding areas.
No shops are open, and the city has had no electricity, gas or water for three years.
Ukraine has attempted to deliver supplies but has not had success in recent months, and it is deemed too dangerous to risk leaving on foot along mined roads out of the city.
In response to the situation, the White House said last week that Melania Trump had secured a ceasefire in Oleshky, with no details for how long it would last.
Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram it had stopped firing toward the Ukrainian city of Kherson – across the river from Oleshky – at 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT) in preparation for the humanitarian operation.
Ukraine’s parliament commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, also confirmed in a social media post that the ceasefire had begun.
“As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments,” he wrote on Facebook.
People in Oleshky told the BBC they want to evacuate. One woman said she is in hospital recovering from two surgeries after stepping on a land mine.
“I dont know how long I will have to spend there,” she told the BBC, worried about not being able to join Friday’s planned evacuation.
While people are optimistic about leaving, there are also fears that Russia may not allow them to return to Ukraine, or examine their phones and online activity for signs of Ukrainian support, which could see them be taken away and tortured.
