A humanitarian mission successfully entered the devastated city of Oleshky on Friday, marking a rare instance of cooperation between Russia and Ukraine. The operation follows the establishment of a localized ceasefire in the southern Kherson region, which has been observed for four days and is scheduled to remain in effect through Sunday evening. This truce, described as the most significant of the 4½-year conflict that began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion, aims to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies and the safe movement of civilians.
The humanitarian convoy, which consists of 25 buses along with ambulances and aid shipments, is tasked with delivering food and medicine to the approximately 2,000 residents still in Oleshky. According to identical statements from Russian and Ukrainian officials, the mission ensures that any residents wishing to leave for either Russia or Ukraine may do so safely, while those choosing to stay will receive necessary humanitarian support. The mission was brokered with the involvement of the United States, specifically through the efforts of first lady Melania Trump, and followed appeals from Pope Leo XIV to both nations' leaders.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s ombudsman and chief negotiator, oversaw the assembly of the convoy in Armiansk, a town in Russian-occupied Ukraine located about 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of Oleshky. The operation required extensive demining of designated routes, a process completed late Thursday that resulted in two deaths. While the truce has allowed for progress in Oleshky, fighting continues elsewhere in the region; the Russian Defense Ministry reported downing over 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight, while the Ukrainian air force noted Russian ballistic and other missile strikes alongside scores of drones.
Concerns remain regarding the conditions for residents. Volunteer Ksenia Arkhipova, who previously lived in Oleshky and maintains contact with those inside the city, reported that large numbers of Russian military personnel are currently searching empty houses and, in some cases, moving into them. Arkhipova noted that the Russian military is pressuring local residents to evacuate toward Russia rather than Ukraine. She emphasized that the presence of the Ukrainian delegation is seen as a vital safeguard for residents who fear potential interrogation or detention by Russian authorities. While the evacuation route has not been publicly disclosed, Ukrainian public television reported that those heading to Ukraine may be transported via a circuitous route entering through the country's northern border with Belarus.
Evacuations are expected to continue until 2 p.m. local time, with aid distribution beginning 30 minutes later. Authorities have granted a small group of Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. media organizations access to document the humanitarian effort.
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