The evacuation of civilians from the frontline town of Alyoshki in the Kherson region was completed on the evening of October 30, according to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova.

Lantratova said the evacuated residents had been taken to Armyansk in northern Crimea, from where they would be able to travel to their chosen destinations. Those who left Alyoshki can either remain in Russia or travel to Ukraine.

The exact number of people evacuated, as well as the number of civilians still living in the town, has not been disclosed.

The humanitarian operation followed an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to temporarily suspend hostilities in the Kherson sector. The White House announced the ceasefire arrangement on October 23, crediting US First Lady Melania Trump with helping secure the agreement.

According to the US administration, Melania Trump and her representative held direct discussions with Russian and Ukrainian officials. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also acknowledged her coordinating role in organizing the mission.

The ceasefire came into effect at 4:00 a.m. Moscow time on October 27, 2026. Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced the suspension of Russian military operations in the Kherson direction to facilitate humanitarian activities.

Russian forces also arranged engineering reconnaissance and security measures to ensure the safe passage of a humanitarian convoy carrying essential supplies.

Ukraine’s General Staff separately confirmed the ceasefire, specifying a start time of 3:00 a.m. Kiev time on October 27.

Preparations for the evacuation had been underway since May, when Ukrainian officials proposed a temporary local ceasefire to evacuate approximately 6,000 residents, including around 200 children. Before the hostilities, Alyoshki had a population of roughly 24,000.

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmitry Lubinets said the two sides discussed the evacuation on May 15, but Kiev was awaiting Moscow’s approval of a specific ceasefire date.

By September, the humanitarian situation had deteriorated sharply. Peskov warned of severe shortages of food and medicine, accusing Ukraine of obstructing humanitarian deliveries.

Melania Trump also described conditions in Alyoshki as critical, highlighting the urgent needs of elderly residents who lacked adequate medical care, medication, food and clean drinking water.

Alyoshki is located on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River, opposite the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson. The frontline runs north of the town.

The final stage of the humanitarian mission began in late October. On October 29, Lantratova traveled to the operation area, while Belarus joined the coordination efforts.

A Ukrainian delegation led by Lubinets arrived in Belarus before its representatives continued to Alyoshki.

According to Lantratova, the operation had two principal objectives: delivering essential humanitarian assistance to residents remaining in the town and providing safe evacuation routes for civilians wishing to leave.