Russia and Ukraine have begun a joint humanitarian operation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, delivering urgently needed supplies and facilitating civilian evacuations under a temporary, locally agreed ceasefire.
The operation, which began on Friday, follows weeks of negotiations aimed at addressing worsening humanitarian conditions in the southern Kherson region. The town has experienced severe shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies after years of fighting and the destruction of critical infrastructure.
An aid convoy carrying food, hygiene products, medical supplies and fuel has entered the town. Medical personnel and emergency transport have also been deployed to assist vulnerable residents.
According to reports, approximately 25 buses with at least 750 seats have been made available to transport civilians wishing to leave. Residents have reportedly been given the option of travelling either to Russian-controlled territory or towards Ukrainian-controlled areas. The exact number of people who have evacuated remains unclear.
The humanitarian arrangement is being implemented through cooperation between Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova and Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. US First Lady Melania Trump played a key role in brokering the agreement, while Pope Leo XIV also appealed to both sides to facilitate humanitarian assistance and protect civilians.
Before the convoy could enter, demining operations were conducted along the designated routes. However, two people were reportedly killed during the clearance operation, highlighting the dangers surrounding humanitarian access in the conflict zone.
Oleshky, which had a pre-war population of approximately 24,000, is believed to have between 1,500 and 2,000 residents remaining. The town has suffered extensive destruction, including the effects of the 2023 Kakhovka Dam collapse, which caused widespread flooding across the region.
Despite the local ceasefire, fighting continues elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russian strikes reported in several Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv and Dnipro. Both sides remain engaged in broader military operations despite renewed diplomatic efforts.
The humanitarian mission represents a rare instance of direct cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the temporary agreement does not signal a broader end to hostilities, as both governments remain divided over the conditions for a lasting peace settlement.
The operation is expected to remain a critical test of humanitarian cooperation as international efforts continue to secure civilian protection and advance negotiations towards ending the war.
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