Relief Convoy Reaches Blockaded Southern Ukrainian City During Localised Truce

An aid convoy has arrived in the Russian-held town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, delivering food and medical supplies to residents after weeks of planning. The relief operation coincides with the third day of a six-day localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which was brokered by the United States.

The White House stated that US First Lady Melania Trump mediated the temporary truce after learning about conditions in the city during a United Nations General Assembly session in September. According to the White House, she described Oleshky as being on the brink of disaster with up to 2,000 people remaining inside. Prior to the February 2022 invasion and subsequent occupation, the town had a population of approximately 24,000. Former residents reported that those remaining have faced months of shortages, lacking electricity, heat, running water, and adequate food or medicine.

Concurrently, the Vatican offered a different account, stating that the pope helped facilitate the pause in fighting through phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that the local truce in Oleshky is an isolated case that cannot be linked to a broader peaceful settlement process.

Ukraine Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, met overnight in Oleshky, according to the Russian state television channel Vesti. Lantratova reported that 25 buses with at least 750 seats were positioned to evacuate individuals wishing to leave, with operations scheduled to continue until 2pm local time. Videos published by both officials showed residents waiting outside buildings with bags of belongings and boarding vehicles.

Officials from both nations noted that some residents may choose to remain in the city even if combat resumes. Ahead of the convoy's arrival, Russia and Ukraine announced the completion of demining operations around Oleshky. Lantratova stated that two individuals were killed during the local demining effort. Meanwhile, fighting continued elsewhere in the country, with Ukrainian officials reporting strikes near Kremenchuk, Kyiv, and Kharkiv, while Moscow stated it targeted energy and port infrastructure.