Ukraine Mobilizes 25-Bus Convoy for Oleshky Aid Delivery

Ukrainian authorities have assembled a 25-vehicle humanitarian convoy in Armyansk to deliver supplies to Oleshky later this Friday.

The convoy, which includes buses and ambulances, is positioned in Armyansk, a town in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine located 85 kilometers south of the target city. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's ombudsman and chief negotiator, stated the primary goal is to ensure aid reaches every resident, with specific focus on the elderly and people with disabilities.

Oleshky, situated just inside Russian-occupied territory in Kherson region, drew international attention after heavy fighting and mined roads left residents stranded without food or medicine. The localized ceasefire enabling this mission was brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, who led negotiations between Lubinets and Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova.

The truce in and around the city has held since Tuesday, while both sides remain actively engaged in the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion more than four and a half years ago. Previous attempts at ceasefire talks in the conflict have failed or resulted in short-lived truces.

The aid mission is scheduled to take place later on Friday.