Moscow says humanitarian mission in Oleshky completed

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said Friday that the humanitarian mission in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Oleshky has been completed.

"We have completed our humanitarian mission in Oleshky. The convoys are now splitting up, heading in different directions," she said, stressing that the localized ceasefire was honored by both sides "without any incidents."

Lantratova proposed making humanitarian missions coordinated by US first lady Melania Trump a regular initiative, saying the Oleshky operation and cooperation with Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets had shown that such arrangements could help civilians "even under difficult conditions."

Lubinets said, meanwhile, that those who wished to leave Oleshky had been given the opportunity and were heading to Ukraine.

“At this stage, those who wished to leave Oleshky have had the opportunity to do so and are now on their way to Ukraine. Humanitarian aid has been delivered. The convoys have split up, and I am now heading back to Ukraine,” he wrote on US social media platform X.

Lubinets said the ceasefire had remained in effect for 87 hours, with no violations recorded, and thanked the Ukrainian armed forces for making the humanitarian mission possible.

He said the operation was continuing in accordance with agreements reached with Lantratova, with the support and coordination of the US first lady.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately said a humanitarian mission was underway in Oleshky, with people being transported to Ukraine. He said Ukrainian services and defense forces were working to rescue as many citizens as possible.

"It is significant that Kherson has finally experienced the quiet that was so desperately needed. Russia must put an end to this war," he said during an evening address.

A ceasefire brokered by the US first lady between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, which Moscow took control of in 2022, took effect at 0100GMT Tuesday to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. It will be in effect until 10.59 pm (2059GMT) Sunday.