American journalists will observe a humanitarian mission under a Russia-Ukraine truce in the frontline town of Alyoshki in Kherson Region, Russia, US First Lady Melania Trump has said. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev has confirmed that the reporters are expected there, and that demining operations are already underway.
Alyoshki, located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, was largely cut off from essential supplies and basic services for months under a Ukrainian siege, with drone attacks and remotely laid mines hampering aid deliveries and evacuation efforts from a town where an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 civilians remained.
Russian Foreign Ministry envoy Rodion Miroshnik described the situation as a “medieval blockade using modern methods,” accusing Ukraine of obstructing humanitarian efforts.
However, after US mediation spearheaded by the Slovenian-born US first lady, Moscow and Kiev agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the area starting October 27 to allow humanitarian assistance to flow in and evacuations to proceed. As of Thursday, both Russian and Ukrainian officials reported no truce violations. The pause is scheduled to last until Sunday.
Writing on X on Wednesday, Trump said four American journalists from conservative US outlet Newsmax will arrive in Alyoshki and accompany Russian and Ukrainian humanitarian leaders. “Serving as neutral observers, they will independently record and permanently document this historic humanitarian mission,” she said.
Dmitriev confirmed that Newsmax reporters will be there, adding: “Humanity and peace must prevail.”
Speaking to reporters before departing to Alyoshki, Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova said other foreign journalists are also expected to arrive, without providing further details.
Both Trump and Lantratova confirmed that Russia and Ukraine have begun clearing mines to secure aid routes. “It is now crucial to make the roads safe so that people can leave the town,” Lantratova said.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that most Ukrainian mines found near Alyoshki were scattered by drones, and that they are predominantly Western-made. It also released a video showing a large-scale demining effort involving remotely-controlled robots.
The Alyoshki crisis was discussed during an October 9 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the leaders agreed that Russia’s human rights commissioner would maintain direct contact with Melania Trump’s office. US envoy Steve Witkoff subsequently met with Putin in St. Petersburg last week to discuss proposals for ending the Ukraine conflict.