Evacuation has begun; 25 buses on standby; Those wishing to leave have until 2 PM VIDEO

Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, Yana Lantratova, stated that all necessary security arrangements had been put in place for the evacuation, and that residents wishing to leave the city would be able to do so until 2 p.m., after which the distribution of humanitarian aid would begin.

More than 50 medical professionals are taking part in the operation, while over 50 journalists from various countries, including the United States, have also arrived in the city to monitor the humanitarian mission.

"American journalists, journalists from various countries, more than 50 media representatives in total. That is why everything is taking place openly, which is very important," Lantratova said, according to Sputnik.

She confirmed that the ceasefire regime in the humanitarian operation zone remains in effect and that no incidents have been reported.

"The ceasefire in the humanitarian mission zone in Oleshky remains in place. No incidents have been reported. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides are fully complying with their commitments," Lantratova also wrote on the social media platform MAX.

The Commissioner also announced that she was travelling to the city alongside Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, to coordinate the humanitarian operation.

"We are on our way to Oleshky with Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. Together, we are coordinating the implementation of the agreements reached with the mediation and coordination of US First Lady Melania Trump," she stated.

Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, opposite the city of Kherson, which is under the control of Ukrainian forces. According to Russian officials, military operations by the Ukrainian army have created a severe humanitarian situation in the city.

Earlier, Russian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that, in order to facilitate the humanitarian operation, the Russian military had introduced a ceasefire regime along the Kherson front, effective from 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously emphasized that US First Lady Melania Trump had played a key coordinating role in organizing the mission.

On the other hand, Ukrainian media and an independent journalist who has remained in the city claim that Russia is actually responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in a city that was once home to 24,000 people but now has a population of around 2,000.

Zarina Zabrisky, the only independent foreign journalist remaining in the area, who has been reporting from the ground since 2023, has revealed a series of horrifying details shared with her by residents who have barely survived. She added that the entire situation surrounding the humanitarian operation is, in fact, nothing more than a Russian publicity stunt.