Russia-Ukraine humanitarian truce: What is happening in Alyoshki?

Russia-Ukraine humanitarian truce: What is happening in Alyoshki?

Aid deliveries and civilian evacuations are underway under a ceasefire coordinated with US First Lady Melania Trump
Russian and Ukrainian humanitarian teams have begun delivering aid and evacuating civilians from the frontline town of Alyoshki under a temporary ceasefire brokered with the help of US First Lady Melania Trump.
Residents of the town in Russia’s Kherson Region have faced months of severe shortages, with Ukrainian drone attacks and mines disrupting supply routes, according to Russian officials and evacuees interviewed by RT.
An RT correspondent is on the ground covering the mission, which has brought representatives from both sides together to assist civilians. Here is how the agreement came about, what is happening on the ground and what residents have said about conditions in the town.
Where is Alyoshki?Alyoshki lies on the left bank of the Dnieper River, opposite the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson. It has been under Russian control since 2022 and is part of Russia’s Kherson Region, which Ukraine continues to claim.
The nearby Antonovsky Bridge, once a key crossing between the two cities, was put out of action in 2022. The river has since formed part of the front line separating Russian and Ukrainian forces.
The humanitarian mission is using land routes into Alyoshki, which Russian military engineers have been clearing of mines and unexploded ordnance.
Why was a humanitarian ceasefire needed?Russian authorities estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 civilians remained in Alyoshki before the operation, including elderly residents and children. Food, medicine, drinking water and fuel have been scarce, while damaged utilities have deprived residents of basic services.
Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo has accused Ukrainian forces of attacking supply vehicles and remotely mining access roads. Russian Foreign Ministry envoy Rodion Miroshnik described the situation as a medieval blockade using modern methods.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has accused Russia of preventing civilians from leaving. However, evacuees interviewed by RT blamed Ukrainian attacks for making both aid deliveries and evacuation attempts dangerous.
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What have residents told RT?There’s nothing to eat. No medicine. Drones are constantly hovering above you, one evacuee said. He described residents being unable to step outside without encountering drones and recalled three supply vehicles being destroyed in succession in the spring, leaving people to survive on vegetables grown in their gardens.
Others recounted receiving food, water and fuel from Russian soldiers and volunteers.
One woman said her husband was killed by a mine while collecting potatoes. She described how Russian troops guided her to safety using drones and a radio during a five-hour journey to a hospital.
Another resident, whose husband was killed in a Ukrainian attack, described houses being blown away during bombardments. Another evacuee noted that the people of Alyoshki were treated by Ukraine as scum and traitors. 
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Who negotiated the agreement?The humanitarian crisis was raised during an October 9 telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The two leaders agreed to establish direct contact between Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova and Melania Trump’s office.
Subsequent negotiations secured a temporary pause in fighting around Alyoshki, with the US first lady and Pope Leo XIV helping advance the initiative.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has credited Melania Trump with coordinating the effort, linking her involvement to earlier work reuniting children separated from their families during the conflict.
Is the EU involved?The EU has played no role in negotiating or carrying out the mission. The operation has instead relied on direct Russian-Ukrainian coordination, US mediation and logistical support from Belarus.
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