A humanitarian mission entered the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky on Friday under a localized Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
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A humanitarian mission entered the devastated city of Oleshky on Friday, officials said, as Russia and Ukraine observed what they described as the most significant truce of the 4 1/2-year war.
Under the operation, a convoy of 25 buses, ambulances and aid was set to travel into the Russian-occupied city to deliver food and medicine and to evacuate people who want to leave to Russia and Ukraine.
Officials said some 2,000 people are still living in Oleshky, with authorities and volunteers estimating that many want to leave during the ceasefire period.
The localized ceasefire in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region had held for four days and was due to continue through Sunday evening.
In identical statements, the warring countries said, “Everyone who wishes to leave Oleshky will have the opportunity to do so safely,” and added that those who choose to stay may remain and “will receive all the humanitarian support they need.”
Demining of designated routes into the city was completed late Thursday, and officials said two people were killed during the work.
The convoy was set up in Armyansk, a town in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine about 85 kilometres (53 miles) south of Oleshky, according to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s ombudsman and chief negotiator.
Lubinets said the evacuation would run until 2 p.m. local time and that aid would begin being distributed 30 minutes later, with the route evacuees would take not published.
Lubinets said the evacuation would include Ukrainian territory across the River Dnipro from Oleshky, a couple of kilometres away, and said the route details were withheld.
A volunteer from Oleshky, Ksenia Arkhipova, told reporters that roughly 1,000 residents had said they want to leave the city, saying it was important for a Ukrainian delegation to be present because many fear Russian authorities would interrogate or detain them.
The United States was described as playing a central role in the mission, with the White House saying it was brokered by first lady Melania Trump, and Pope Leo XIV was also said to have pressed both leaders to help Oleshky.
Outside Oleshky and its surroundings, the war continued. Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses downed more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched ballistic and other missiles as well as scores of drones.
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