Humanitarian aid for Oleshky ready from nearby city

Uthe humanitarian convoy to the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, hit hard by the fighting with Russia and stage of a localized ceasefire, is ready from a nearby location, the authorities of Ukraine said today.

According to a Ukrainian authority, the aid mission, scheduled to take place today, has 25 buses, ambulances and other vehicles.

“ We are bringing humanitarian aid to the residents of the city of Oleshky,” said Dmytro Lubinets, who is Ukraine’s chief ombudsman and negotiator.

“ Our main objective is to ensure that this help reaches all the people who need it. We pay special attention to the elderly and people with disabilities,” he added.

Lubinets reported that the train was organized in Armyansk, a city in southern Ukraine under Russian occupation, located about 85 kilometres south of Oleshky.

Humanitarian Mission in Oleshky: Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Everyone in Need i We are currently in Armiansk, working alongside Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova and coordinating further steps within the framework of this mission. Journalists from three countries have also joined us to cover the mission. Everything has now been prepared to a high standard. We are delivering humanitarian aid to the residents of Oleshky. Our main task is to ensure that this assistance answers every person in need. Particular attention is being paid to older people, people with disabilities, and anyone who is unable to care for themelves due to their health condition or other circumstances. Twenty-five buses with a total capacity of 750 passengers have been prepared, along with ambulances for people with limited mobility. Everyone who wishes to leave Oleshky will be given the opportunity to so safe. At the same time, these who decide to remain will be able to stay and will receive all the necessary humanitarian assistance. At this stage, it is equally important that both sides observe the ceasephire. I would also like to express my special gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We continue our work. I thank Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova for her cooperation in carrying out this mission. Our work is ongoing. I will keep you informed about other steps and results.

Dmytro Lubinets (@lubinetzs) October 30, 2026

A localized ceasefire and relief mission were articulated by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, who conducted the negotiations with Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova.

The ceasefire is expected to continue until 22:59 on 1 November, local time (20:59 in Lisbon), according to Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia, who classified it as “the largest untapped since 2022”.

The Pope was also involved in this process – on 16 October, during a telephone conversation, Leo XIV appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a truce that would remove civilians and bring humanitarian assistance to Oleshky.

Oleshky, located within Russian occupied territory in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, gained worldwide attention when his residents were isolated due to intense fighting and mined roads, facing a shortage of food and medicine.

Moscow and Kiev have respected the truce in the devastated city — and its surroundings — since Tuesday, but they remain fully involved in the war, which began with the Russian invasion on a large scale over four and a half years ago.

Previous attempts to establish a ceasefire failed and the agreed truces were quickly broken.