Speaking at the Russia-Africa Forum on October 29, President Putin announced that the relief mission to Alyoshki (Oleshky) was in operation. “An operation to assist civilians has been planned for these days, today or tomorrow, with the support of the U.S. First Lady,” he told the conference. The White House announced that Melania Trump had played a role in the matter, her office indicating that she had been in direct contact with both the Russian and Ukrainian leadership on the matter. Dmitry Peskov, in his briefing, also underlined the role of Melania in the matter.

Speaking to the press, Yana Lantratova, the Commissioner for Human Rights for the Russian Federation, said, “We requested information and drew up a list of what was required. First and foremost this includes food, medicine, hygiene products, fuel and items needed for heating, everything that is essential for people. At the same time, should we become aware of individuals who wish to leave the combat zone, they will be given every opportunity to do so, regardless of where they choose to go.”

Lantratova announced that her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, had also arrived in Belarus and was in touch with Lantratova’s team to travel to visit Alyoshki. Lantratova will also travel to Alyoshki herself accompanied by four journalists from the United States. According to RBC-Ukraine, the delegations were flying together today by Russian military transport on a route skirting the eastern borders of Ukraine and the Donbass, to an airport in the Russian town of Anapa, on the Kerch Strait just opposite the eastern tip of Crimea. From there, they would fly on to Simferopol in Crimea, and head for Alyoshki tomorrow with a convoy of aid. There are reports that residents of the town wishing to depart for Ukrainian territory will be flown to Belarus by the same route, in reverse, and cross into Ukraine at its northern border.