Nearly 100 children evacuated from occupied Oleshky since start of 2026

Evacuation of infants from the blockade

Since the beginning of 2026, approximately 100 children have been successfully evacuated from the temporarily occupied Oleshky in Kherson region and adjacent territories. This was revealed in a comment by the organisation Save Ukraine to Suspilne.

The organisation's chief lawyer, Myroslava Kharchenko, explains that evacuation became more difficult after the city was effectively blockaded due to the mining of roads. Despite this, four children were evacuated from Oleshky.

How many children remain in the city

The last evacuation from Oleshky took place on 19 September 2026. According to estimates by Save Ukraine representatives, approximately 30 children are currently in the city, although the actual number may reach 50.

«Остання евакуація дітей з Олешок відбулася 19 вересня 2026 року. За нашими оцінками, в Олешках наразі залишається близько 30 дітей, хоча ми не виключаємо, що їх може бути ближче до 50. Ми маємо інформацію про частину дітей, але щодо інших даних немає, адже батьки через страх не завжди готові повідомляти про них» (The last evacuation of children from Oleshky took place on 19 September 2026. According to our estimates, approximately 30 children remain in Oleshky at present, although we do not rule out that the number could be closer to 50. We have information about some of the children, but we lack data on others, as parents, out of fear, are not always ready to report on them), said Myroslava Kharchenko.

Medical condition and social support

After returning to territory controlled by Ukraine, children are usually in a state of severe physical exhaustion caused by prolonged hunger. This requires special medical monitoring and gradual nutritional recovery under doctor supervision.

«Після евакуації на підконтрольну Україні територію відбувається супровід дітей. Наше завдання – забезпечити дітям безпечне місце проживання, допомогти відновити документи, оформити належні виплати та необхідні статуси, а також надати психологічну підтримку» (After evacuation to territory controlled by Ukraine, children are provided with follow-up support. Our task is to ensure children have a safe place to live, help restore their documents, process appropriate payments and necessary statuses, and provide psychological support), the organisation stated.

Save Ukraine also noted that some children had barely left the boundaries of their own yard or house for years, while others were forced to live in basements.