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Ukraine Responds to Putin’s “Humanitarian Mission” Proposal in Kostiantynivka. What Could Russia Be Planning?
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Ukraine’s Presidential Office warned that Russia could use a proposed “humanitarian mission” in Kostiantynivka as cover to move troops and military equipment into the city, Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told journalists. on November 12.
“Given that in Oleshky they brought in equipment and rotated troops under the cover of a humanitarian operation, it is clear what they want in Kostiantynivka. But all the details need to be clarified,” Lytvyn stated.
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The warning followed a proposal by the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, to organize a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, modeled on an earlier operation in Oleshky in the Kherson region, he continued.
The Oleshky ceasefire, introduced to facilitate a humanitarian evacuation from the Russian-occupied town, lasted from October 27 to November 1 and allowed hundreds of civilians to leave. Ukrainian authorities later reported that Russian forces used the pause to rotate personnel, move in weapons and supplies, restore military positions, and reinforce their presence in the Kherson region.
Putin claimed that Russian forces control Kostiantynivka and stated that Moscow was prepared to guarantee the security of the mission. Ukraine and independent observers have reported that Ukrainian units remain present in the city.
Putin also claimed that demining areas near Kostiantynivka would require five days and described the earlier operation in Oleshky as a “positive experience of humanitarian cooperation” with Ukraine, according to Lytvyn.
Ukraine’s Presidential Office has not accepted that framing, warning instead that the Oleshky operation provides grounds to scrutinize any similar Russian proposal for Kostiantynivka.
The Oleshky ceasefire had been brokered with US involvement as a temporary humanitarian arrangement intended to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations from the Russian-occupied town. US First Lady Melania Trump was later awarded Ukraine’s Order of Princess Olga for humanitarian efforts that included her involvement in the Oleshky initiative.
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