KYIV — A humanitarian mission entered the devastated Ukrainian city of Oleshky on Friday, officials said, as Russia and Ukraine observed the most significant truce of the 4½-year war triggered by Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour.A convoy of 25 buses and ambulances carrying humanitarian aid was expected to reach the Russian-occupied city, delivering food and medicine and evacuating residents who wish to leave for Russia or Ukraine. About 2,000 people remain in the city, according to authorities and volunteers.Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed on Friday that the delegation had safely arrived in the town in the southern Kherson region, with the ceasefire still holding after 80 hours.”We are in Oleshky! The Ukrainian delegation has safely reached the city,” Lubinets said.The convoy was assembled in Armiansk, a town in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine about 85 kilometres south of Oleshky, Lubinets said.Demining operations along designated routes into the city were completed late on Thursday, officials said. Two people were killed during the work.Lubinets said the evacuation would continue until 2 pm local time, with aid distribution scheduled to begin 30 minutes later. The route evacuees would take was not made public. Ukrainian-controlled territory lies just across the Dnipro River from Oleshky, a few kilometres away.He said journalists from three countries had joined the mission, with preparations completed to deliver assistance to residents of Oleshky, particularly older people, people with disabilities and those unable to care for themselves.”Our main task is to ensure that this assistance reaches every person in need,” Lubinets said.Journalists from Kremlin-controlled media outlets can also be seen in footage released by Lubinets.At around noon, David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s parliamentary faction, confirmed that humanitarian aid had reached Oleshky and that technical assistance was being provided to residents wishing to evacuate.The operation marks a rare moment of direct humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Russia after years of occupation, with the ceasefire negotiated through their respective human rights representatives and supported by US First Lady Melania Trump.But the most sensitive phase of the mission is ensuring that civilians who want to leave can do so safely and reach Ukrainian-controlled territory.Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi initially said that 527 residents intended to travel to Ukrainian-controlled territory, but later withdrew the figure, saying the number remained uncertain as the operation continued.Twenty-five buses with a combined capacity of 750 passengers have been prepared for the evacuation, alongside ambulances for people with limited mobility, Lubinets said.”Everyone who wishes to leave Oleshky will be given the opportunity to leave safely. At the same time, those who have decided to stay can stay and will receive all the necessary humanitarian support,” he said.The assurances come amid claims that Russian forces began evacuating residents before the agreed date, raising questions over whether the operation will proceed according to the arrangements reached by both sides.The fate of those leaving remains a particular concern, given fears that civilians could be transported through Russian-controlled territory rather than being allowed to return to areas under Ukrainian government control.
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