Convoy enters Oleshky under rare Russia-Ukraine ceasefire
Twenty-five buses and ambulances delivered aid to the besieged city while officials evacuated roughly 1,000 residents to both sides of the front line.
By Malik Salazar ·
A humanitarian convoy entered the city of Oleshky on Friday, marking the first major joint operation by Russian and Ukrainian forces in nearly five years of war. The mission operated under a localized ceasefire in the southern Kherson region that has remained in effect for four days and is scheduled to last until Sunday evening.
The convoy consisted of 25 vehicles, including buses and ambulances, which transported food and medicine into the Russian-occupied territory. The operation also facilitated the evacuation of civilians who wished to leave. Authorities and local volunteers estimate that approximately 2,000 people still reside in Oleshky. A localized truce allowed the convoy to traverse the area safely, a rarity in the ongoing conflict.
Russia and Ukraine issued identical statements regarding the operation. They stated that anyone wishing to depart Oleshky could do so safely. Those choosing to stay would remain in the city and receive necessary humanitarian support. This joint effort involved coordination between officials from both nations, a development described as rare in the context of the war.
The United States played a central role in brokering the mission. The White House attributed the arrangement to First Lady Melania Trump. Pope Leo XIV also urged both leaders to assist the residents of Oleshky. The presence of a Ukrainian delegation in the city was noted by local volunteers, who expressed concern that Russian authorities might otherwise interrogate or detain departing residents.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s ombudsman and chief negotiator, provided logistical details for the operation. He stated that the convoy was staged in Armyansk, a town located 85 kilometers south of Oleshky. Demining crews cleared the designated routes into the city late Thursday. Two workers were killed during the demining process. Lubinets said the evacuation was set to conclude at 2 p.m. local time, with aid distribution beginning 30 minutes later. It was unclear which time zone he referenced.
Ksenia Arkhipova, a volunteer from Oleshky, told The Associated Press on Thursday that about 1,000 residents had indicated they wanted to leave. The route for evacuees was not made public, although Ukrainian territory lies just across the River Dnipro, a few kilometers away. A small group of Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. media organizations was invited to cover the event.
The fighting continued elsewhere in Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defense systems downed more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukraine’s air force stated that Russia launched ballistic and other missiles along with numerous drones during the same period.
