Russia and Ukraine have completed demining along routes designated for a humanitarian mission to Oleshky, a Russian-controlled city in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, the two countries’ human rights commissioners said on Thursday.
Russian commissioner Yana Lantratova and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets announced in separate Telegram statements that the humanitarian convoy was ready to depart for the city’s central district hospital.
The officials said residents wishing to leave Oleshky would have the opportunity to do so until 2 pm local time (1200 GMT), while humanitarian aid distribution would begin after 2.30 pm.
“All necessary security measures will be in place,” the commissioners said, according to their statements.
Officials thank Melania Trump for mediation
Lantratova and Lubinets both thanked US first lady Melania Trump for her “personal involvement, mediation, and coordination”, which they said had helped make the humanitarian agreements possible.
The completion of demining marks a key step towards enabling the planned aid delivery and providing civilians with an opportunity to leave the city safely during the agreed ceasefire.
Temporary ceasefire enables aid and evacuations
A ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky took effect at 0100 GMT on Tuesday.
The arrangement is intended to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations in the city, which Moscow took control of in 2022.
The ceasefire is scheduled to remain in force until 1059 pm GMT on Sunday, giving humanitarian operations a limited window to proceed.
