A humanitarian mission entered the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine on Friday as part of a joint relief operation. The first of its kind in over four years of war, the mission delivered a convoy of 25 buses carrying food and medical supplies to the devastated city. Residents of Oleshky, which lies on the Russian-occupied side of the Dnipro River opposite Kherson, have suffered severe shortages and warnings of starvation.
The operation is taking place under a six-day truce brokered by the United States and U.S. first lady Melania Trump. Approximately 2,000 residents, including about 50 children, are being evacuated from the city, which has been under Russian occupation since 2022. Senior official David Arakhamia stated that the evacuees are traveling to Anapa, Russia, with a Ukrainian delegation, and are expected to fly to Belarus before returning to Ukraine by bus.
While the mission offers a fragile glimmer of hope for civilians trapped by war, it has raised grave concerns over Moscow's true intentions. Observers fear that Russia may exploit the operation for propaganda, and serious doubts remain regarding whether all those seeking evacuation will be allowed to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory.