Evacuation of Civilians Begins in Besieged Ukrainian City of Oleshky A joint humanitarian operation has commenced evacuating civilians from the besieged Russian-held city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The operation, the first of its kind in four years and eight months of war, aims to alleviate the severe food and medical shortages that have plagued the city. Located on the Russian-occupied side of the Dnipro River, opposite Kherson, Oleshky has faced months of dire living conditions. The city's residents, including approximately 50 children, have been at risk of starvation due to the shortages.