Humanitarian supplies reached the devastated Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky on Friday as civilians began evacuating under a localized ceasefire brokered by First Lady Melania Trump.
Russian and Ukrainian officials coordinated the operation, allowing residents to leave for either Russian-controlled or Ukrainian-controlled territory.
The relief effort followed days of relative quiet around the city, where residents have endured severe shortages and dangerous journeys to obtain basic necessities. The Kremlin cautioned that the arrangement should not be interpreted as a breakthrough toward a broader peace agreement.
The Associated Press reported that the mission included 25 buses, ambulances and supplies of food and medicine. Authorities and volunteers estimate that approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky.
The ceasefire is scheduled to continue through Sunday evening. Both sides said residents who choose to remain would receive humanitarian assistance.
Officials said designated routes had been cleared of mines before the operation, although two people were killed during that work.
The joint mission offered a rare moment of cooperation, while fighting continued elsewhere in Ukraine.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
