The Defense Forces of Ukraine will ensure the implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief necessary for conducting a humanitarian operation in the occupied city of Oleshky, Kherson region. The Ukrainian military command expects that access to the settlement for providing assistance to civilians will be guaranteed.
This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on October 23 as reported.
The General Staff emphasized that the Ukrainian military will carry out orders related to the implementation of the humanitarian mission.
“The relevant orders will be communicated to the troops in the prescribed manner,” the statement said.
The military command reminded that Ukrainian units have already conducted humanitarian operations in Oleshky and neighboring villages on multiple occasions. In particular, with the help of drones, food and other essential supplies were delivered to residents.
“We expect that humanitarian access for the sake of people in Oleshky will be guaranteed,” the General Staff stated.
Earlier on October 23, the White House announced an agreement between Ukraine and Russia regarding a localized ceasefire in Oleshky. According to the statement by the American administration, the ceasefire is to begin on October 29 and ensure the possibility of delivering food, drinking water, and medicines, as well as preparing for the evacuation of civilians.
The agreement was reached through the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump. It was subsequently confirmed by Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, who directly participated in negotiations with the Russian side.
According to Lubinets, the humanitarian operation includes three main conditions: ensuring a regime of silence, delivering aid to Oleshky, and free movement of the civilian population from the city.
The Ombudsman warned that the operation will be complex and will proceed in stages. He also called for a responsible approach to spreading information about its conduct.
The Russian side, for its part, announced its intention to cease fire in the Kherson direction starting October 27 to prepare the humanitarian mission. Thus, the date announced by Moscow differs from the start date of the local ceasefire indicated by the White House.
According to estimates by the American administration, between 1,700 and 2,000 civilians remain in Oleshky, mostly elderly people. Among them are about 50 children. The population is experiencing a severe shortage of food, medicine, and clean water.
However, the General Staff's statement concerns readiness to carry out future orders, not the actual start of the ceasefire. Guarantees of unimpeded access for the humanitarian mission still need to be implemented in practice.
