Russia and Ukraine reported on Thursday, the 7th of Aban, that mine-clearing of the routes around the city of Olshky in southern Ukraine has been completed, and that humanitarian assistance and resident evacuation operations are ready to begin. The city is under Russian control and is located at the front line.

Yana Lantratova, the Russian human rights commissioner, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, issued nearly identical statements: “Mine-clearing of the routes for the humanitarian mission in Olshky has been completed. The humanitarian convoy is ready to depart.”

The statement said the convoy will go to the regional hospital, residents who wish to leave will be allowed to evacuate within a specified time frame and with “all safety measures provided,” and aid packages will then be distributed.

Local ceasefire in Olshky was announced on the 1st of Aban. Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, mediated. The city is facing severe shortages of food and medicine.