25 Buses, Aid Convoy Set for Russian-Occupied Oleshky in US-Mediated Mission

A humanitarian convoy carrying food, medical supplies and other essentials was preparing to enter the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine on Friday, Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said, following a ceasefire agreement mediated by US First Lady Melania Trump. Lubinets said in a Telegram post on Thursday evening that demining along designated routes had been completed and the convoy was ready to depart. It was expected to reach the town’s central hospital, where residents would receive assistance.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The operation is being coordinated by Ukrainian and Russian human rights commissioners, Lubinets said, with the involvement of the United States. People wishing to leave Oleshky would be given an opportunity to evacuate by 2 p.m. on Friday, while humanitarian aid distribution was scheduled to begin after 2:30 p.m., he added. In a second Telegram update on Friday morning, Lubinets said the delegations were in Armyansk, in Russian-occupied Crimea, coordinating the mission with his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova. A total of 25 buses with capacity for 750 passengers had been prepared for the evacuation, along with ambulances for people with limited mobility. Particular attention would be given to elderly people, people with disabilities and others unable to care for themselves, Lubinets said. Residents choosing to remain in Oleshky would also receive humanitarian assistance. Other Topics of Interest ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 29, 2026 War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on October 29, 2026. He thanked Melania Trump for her mediation and coordination, saying the priority was to ensure aid reached civilians and that anyone wishing to leave could do so safely. Russian state television channel Izvestia also reported on a meeting between Lubinets and Lantratova, releasing nighttime footage showing the two officials wearing patches with their respective national flags. “Is everything all right?” Lantratova asked in Russian in the clip. “Yes, we were warmly welcomed,” Lubinets replied in Ukrainian. BREAKING: Humanitarian convoy begins its journey to Oleshky. It is coordinated by First Lady Melania Trump and headed by Russia’s Humanitarian Commissioner Yana Lantratova and Ukraine’s Dmytro Lubinets.Humanitarian approach and trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine coordination work. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/BFBlNJZDZg— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 30, 2026 Russian newspaper Izvestia reported on Friday that the convoy was moving towards Oleshky, accompanied by journalists from France, Italy, Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Lantratova said the ceasefire was holding to allow the humanitarian operation to proceed. She also confirmed that 25 buses were ready to evacuate residents, including those with pets. She said two people had been killed during the demining operation around Oleshky. Russian forces seized Oleshky, in the southern Kherson region, shortly after launching their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The town has remained under Russian occupation, with residents facing severe shortages and difficult humanitarian conditions. Ceasefire holds as humanitarian mission moves forward The localized ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on Oct. 27, two days ahead of the originally announced schedule, following an agreement mediated by Melania Trump. It is due to remain in force until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1, according to Ukrainian officials. Under the agreement, both sides committed to suspending military operations in and around Oleshky to allow demining, humanitarian deliveries and civilian evacuations. The arrangements also provide for safe passage for humanitarian convoys in the wider Kherson region, according to the White House announcement. Lubinets said on Oct. 27 that both sides were observing the ceasefire and that no violations had been reported. Russia’s Defense Ministry separately confirmed that its forces had halted fire in the Kherson sector to facilitate the humanitarian operation. In a subsequent Telegram update on Oct. 29, Lubinets said the ceasefire had held for 54 hours without recorded violations, while demining teams continued clearing designated routes ahead of the aid delivery. Alisa is the Head of News and a correspondent at Kyiv Post, where she leads the newsroom’s coverage of breaking events and global developments. With over seven years of experience in TV journalism, Alisa has reported on international and Ukrainian politics, making complex stories easier to understand. Back in September 2022, Alisa joined the Kyiv Post team.