Newsmax journalists embedded with aid convoy heading to Russian-held Alyoshki

Four journalists from US television channel Newsmax will be embedded with a humanitarian convoy delivering dozens of metric tons of food, medicine, sanitary supplies and fuel to civilians in Alyoshki, a town in Kherson Region currently under Russian control, TASS reported.

Melania Trump confirmed that American journalists would observe the mission, describing them as "neutral observers" who would "independently record and permanently document this historic humanitarian mission." She said work had begun to ensure security for the operation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Melania Trump had helped broker a ceasefire in Alyoshki as part of US peace efforts, drawing on what he described as her humanitarian experience. Peskov also said he considered coverage by Russian journalists more important than that by foreign reporters.

Preparations for the mission began in May, according to Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova, who said a large convoy would carry the supplies. Russian service members from Battlegroup Dnepr have been clearing roads and removing unexploded ordnance along the planned route to allow safe passage for the convoy and civilian evacuations.

Kirill Dmitriev, Russian special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation and director general of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), confirmed the Newsmax presence. A plane carrying mission members — including Russian, US and other international journalists, among them the four Newsmax reporters — departed from Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit, said the humanitarian operation underway in Alyoshki is aimed at providing assistance to civilians.