Putin proposes Kostiantynivka humanitarian operation modeled on Oleshky evacuation

In brief

• Putin proposed a humanitarian operation in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, modeled on the Oleshky evacuation.
• He said 400 to 500 civilians remain in the town and Russia needs five days to clear mines.
• Kyiv has questioned the proposal, pointing to the Oleshky precedent.
• The proposal was made during talks with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow.

Putin's proposal

Putin made the proposal on 12 November at the start of a meeting with US special envoys Witkoff and Kushner. He said around 400 to 500 civilians remain in Kostiantynivka and suggested repeating the operation carried out in Oleshky, which involved inviting foreign and Russian media to witness the process (Война, 12 ноября. На фронте вновь фиксируются заметные сбои в работе Starshield. Кого подорвали в Петербурге – версии. Путин хочет провести гуманитарную миссию и в Константиновке – Salidarnasć) (Путин предложил провести вместе с Украиной гуманитарную операцию в Константиновке — как в Алешках – Meduza) (Путин на встрече с американцами предложил организовать гуманитарную миссию из Константиновки по опыту Олешек – Zerkalo).

Conditions set by Moscow

Putin said Russian forces control the town and would need five days to clear mines from roads leading to it. He added that if Kyiv believes it controls Kostiantynivka, it should guarantee security on its side. He proposed that the work on the mission be handled by the ombudsmen of Russia and Ukraine, Yana Lantratova and Dmytro Lubinets.

Oleshky precedent

The Oleshky operation took place in late October. Several hundred people were evacuated, and those who chose to stay received humanitarian aid. Russia and Ukraine coordinated the effort, with mediation provided by US First Lady Melania Trump. Fighting in the area was paused for four days, the longest ceasefire of the war since 2022.

Kyiv's response

Ukrainian officials reacted with suspicion. One official pointed to Russian vehicles and troop rotations carried out during the Oleshky evacuation under cover of humanitarian work, and said the same intent was visible in the Kostiantynivka proposal, while stressing that details must be verified.

Wider talks

Witkoff told CNN the meeting had produced progress, including agreement on a new round of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine, with European representatives expected to join. Al Jazeera reported that the meeting did not produce a breakthrough, as both sides' positions on key issues remained unchanged, with Putin still demanding Ukrainian withdrawal from all of Donbas and opposing a lasting European troop presence in Ukraine.