Ukraine, Russia Reportedly Agree on Monthly Kherson Aid

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to conduct humanitarian operations in the Kherson region at least once a month after the Oleshky mission ends, Fox News reported on Wednesday, Oct. 28.The arrangement calls for regular aid deliveries and repatriation efforts, with assistance and coordination from US First Lady Melania Trump, the outlet said.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The operations would be organized based on needs at least once a month.The outlet said it had obtained signature pages from the agreement underpinning the humanitarian mission. Its report describes continued cooperation beyond the immediate operation in Russian-occupied Oleshky, rather than a one-off delivery of supplies.Oleshky mission combines aid and civilian departuresThe current operation aims to bring food, drinking water, medicine and medical assistance into Oleshky while preparing safe passage for residents who want to leave.The White House announced the agreement on Oct. 23, saying civilian representatives from both countries would visit residents at home to assess their needs.“Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination,” Melania Trump said.Her office said she and her representative worked directly with Ukrainian and Russian officials on the operation’s objectives, procedures, timing and terms.The White House also said a US media organization would accompany the teams to document the process and residents’ choices. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Welcomes €500M Dutch Military Package as Work Begins on ‘Bliksem’ Air-Defense Project The Netherlands visit comes as Ukraine seeks Patriot interceptors and support for F-16s amid intensified Russian attacks. Ceasefire holds through its opening phaseThe humanitarian ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on Oct. 27 and is scheduled to remain in force until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1.The pause allows preparations for aid deliveries, mine clearance along access routes and voluntary civilian evacuations.On Wednesday morning, Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said the first 30 hours passed without incidents.He credited continuing communication with the Russian negotiating team and thanked Melania Trump and her staff for helping coordinate the process.The lull was also reflected in reports from Ukrainian-controlled Kherson, across the Dnipro River. Regional authorities reported no new shelling or strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure during the preceding day.Four people sought medical assistance for wounds sustained in earlier attacks, while five residents were evacuated from dangerous communities on the Ukrainian-controlled right bank.Civilians face severe shortagesOleshky has remained under Russian occupation since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.The White House estimates that 1,700-2,000 residents remain, including approximately 50 children, compared with a prewar population of roughly 24,000. It noted that no formal demographic count has been conducted there since 2022.Residents have faced shortages of food, clean water and medicine, limited electricity and heavily mined roads.These conditions have made both regular supplies and safe departures difficult. The humanitarian mission is intended to establish access routes before larger deliveries and evacuations proceed.Ukraine has also raised concerns about residents’ freedom to choose their destination. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously warned that Russia could manipulate demining arrangements to channel evacuees toward Russian-controlled territory.Drones delivered supplies before the truceBefore the ceasefire, Ukrainian forces used drones to reach families in the occupied city.On Oct. 25, Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi announced that National Guard operators had delivered more than 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) of humanitarian supplies in 15 containers.The cargo included infant formula, cereals, dried food, toys and developmental games for children.The deliveries were carried out by the Bolharychi company of the National Guard’s 11th Brigade, with assistance from volunteers and people on the ground who collected and distributed the packages.The reported monthly arrangement would establish a recurring framework for assistance beyond those individual deliveries and the current Oleshky operation. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.