World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Oleshky family evacuated after years under Russian occupation
The Samarsky family was evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky in late October 2026 and reached Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Serhii Samarsky, his wife Olha Liutikova and their son Vladyslav had stayed in the town since Russian forces occupied it during the full-scale invasion.
They remained to care for Serhii’s seriously ill parents, who have since died.
The family endured air attacks, shortages of food and utilities, and Russian soldiers living in their apartment building.
Leaving became increasingly dangerous as drones flew overhead and routes out of town were mined.
A humanitarian mission mediated by Melania Trump helped them escape, and they were met at the Ukraine-Belarus border in Chernihiv Oblast.
The Samarsky family reached Ukrainian-controlled territory in late October 2026 after years living under Russian occupation in Oleshky.
A humanitarian mission mediated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump enabled the evacuation.
Serhii Samarsky, his wife Olha Liutikova and their son Vladyslav had stayed to care for Serhii’s parents, who both died about a year ago.
The family endured air attacks, winters without heating or electricity, food shortages and Russian security service interrogations.
By the time they considered leaving, drones flew overhead and Russian forces had mined routes out of town.
- Who
- Serhii Samarsky, Olha Liutikova and their son Vladyslav.
- What
- The family was evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
- When
- They reached Ukrainian-controlled territory in late October 2026; the mission took place on Oct. 31.
- Where
- From Oleshky in Kherson Oblast to the Ukraine-Belarus border in Chernihiv Oblast.
- Why
- They left as life became increasingly dangerous, with drones overhead and routes out of town mined.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russian forces occupied Oleshky, where the Samarsky family remained.
Serhii Samarsky’s parents had both died.
The Samarsky family reached Ukrainian-controlled territory after a humanitarian evacuation.
The family was at the Ukraine-Belarus border after a day-long humanitarian mission.
- Family members
- Serhii Samarsky, Olha Liutikova and Vladyslav Samarsky
- Town
- Oleshky, Kherson Oblast
- Evacuation destination
- Ukrainian-controlled territory
- Border location
- Ukraine-Belarus border, Chernihiv Oblast
- Mission date
- Oct. 31, 2026
- Mission mediator
- U.S. First Lady Melania Trump
What people are saying
Nobody wants to live under occupation. It's death. You can't do anything. You're afraid that you could take a single step and a (Russian soldier) might come and do whatever he wants to you.
The people are really lovely. We have such a close-knit community. We used to get together a lot. If anyone needed help, we'd always help one another out. It's such a lovely, bright, kind little town.