Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner Leads Delegation Toward Oleshky for Humanitarian Mission

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, left with a delegation on 29 October for the area of a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, in Kherson Oblast.

The trip was announced on social media by Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. "The Ukrainian delegation, led by Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets, set off towards Oleshky today," he wrote. "We will monitor the operation and report on its progress as soon as communication becomes available."

Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying Moscow hoped residents of Oleshky could receive humanitarian aid on 29 or 30 October. He added that people who wished to leave the city would be able to do so.

Earlier on 29 October, Lubinets said mine clearance in Oleshky was moving forward successfully. A shipment of humanitarian aid was being readied for delivery on 30 October.

The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, reported on the likely arrangements for departures. According to the newspaper, residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky who agree to leave during the local ceasefire would first be taken to occupied Crimea or to Russia. Only after that would they be able to return to territory controlled by Ukraine.

The operation rests on a local ceasefire in the Oleshky area. Lubinets announced that it took effect at 03:00 on 27 October, and Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed it had introduced a "silence regime". The truce is due to remain in force until 22:59 on 1 November.

The White House has said that Melania Trump secured the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine for Oleshky. The city is temporarily occupied by Russia and is currently facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Communication with the area is limited, and Arakhamiia indicated that updates on the delegation's work would come once a connection becomes available.