With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, head of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks, took part in the work of the interdepartmental humanitarian mission of the Russian Federation in Alyoshki, Kherson region, on October 29-30, 2026.
A large-scale humanitarian operation was organized to provide assistance to civilians who found themselves in a difficult humanitarian situation in a regular combat zone. Due to heavy mining of roads, swampy terrain, the effects of the Dnieper River flood, as well as the lack of stable electricity, heat and water supply, the delivery of humanitarian supplies and the movement of citizens were significantly complicated, and the population was in dire need of food, drinking water, medicines and basic necessities.
As a result of the bilateral agreements reached through the mediation of the First Lady of the United States of America Melania Trump, a temporary ceasefire was established for the safe delivery of aid and the evacuation of citizens.
The interdepartmental working group includes:
• Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Ya.V. Lantratova;
• Commissioner for Human Rights in Ukraine D.V. Lubinets;
• Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation;
• Representatives of relevant government departments and law enforcement agencies;
• Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The evacuation measures were preceded by a complex of engineering works and large-scale mine clearance of urban areas and access roads carried out by military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The main objectives of the operation were the delivery of humanitarian supplies and the organization of the safe evacuation of citizens with the right to choose their own destination (to Russia or Ukraine), as well as the assessment of the needs of people remaining in the settlement.
On the frontline territory, Metropolitan Kirill met with the Deputy Commander of the 18th Combined Arms Army for Military and Political Work and an officer of the Main Military and Political Directorate of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In order to strengthen the spiritual staff, the bishop handed over to the command a military banner with the image of the Savior Not Made with Hands, St. Sergius of Radonezh, and the Venerable Grand Dukes Alexander Nevsky and Dimitri Donskoy. His Eminence wished the soldiers God's help, stressing that the Church prays for victory and the preservation of the lives of soldiers doing their duty in the most difficult conditions of the frontline zone. Metropolitan Kirill also highlighted the selfless work of the military priests: even when it was absolutely impossible to get any transport to Alyoshki, the pastors, along with the soldiers, walked into the city, delivering small but vital shipments of food and medicine to the residents. The military clergy has been blessed to continue this assistance in the future.
Assessing the humanitarian situation in the city itself, Metropolitan Kirill stressed the need for targeted church care for everyone: "The most important thing is to help people leave, those who want to leave this city today. <...> And also, of course, to understand how we can help the local diocese from the side of the Russian Orthodox Church through the local parish: both those who will stay here and those who will definitely embrace with care and love those who will leave and live in other regions of our country. Local dioceses and parishes will provide such support."
Taking advantage of the "window of opportunity" that had opened and the cessation of shelling, employees of the Skadovo diocese, led by Bishop Joseph of Skadovsky and Alyoshkin, as well as members of the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission, were able to tour many parishes in the region, including Golaya Pier and Alyoshki. In Alyosha itself, the situation of the parish remains extremely difficult: the rector of the church had previously become seriously ill and had to leave for treatment, which is why full-fledged parish life is now suspended. The upper temple was destroyed as a result of bombing, and the territory adjacent to the church was heavily mined, but in the surviving lower temple, believers still try to gather from time to time for prayer.
A significant stage of the mission was the support of the city's healthcare system. During the visit, the clergy transferred two tons of humanitarian supplies (food packages and medicines) on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the Alyoshek city Hospital, which has survived complete destruction and where doctors, surgeons and patients continue to work.
During his visit to Alyosha, Metropolitan Kirill focused on pastoral communication with the local population. Sharing his impressions of the meetings, His Eminence noted the extremely difficult emotional state of the people.: "In the eyes of the residents, one can see a terrible, age-old fatigue from what is happening: from the fact that people are dying nearby, from endless bombing, from lack of food, electricity, light, heat and much more. The most important thing now is that this fatigue and a certain despondency do not turn into despair. We must and will pray for the Lord to help them."
In order to spiritually support the exhausted people, Metropolitan Kirill talked with all the residents, both with those who had decided to evacuate to Russia or leave for Ukraine, and with those who remained in the city. Icons with the Primatial blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill were given to everyone, regardless of the route chosen; many gratefully took several images for their neighbors and loved ones. Boarding buses bound for the regions of Russia, the bishop also presented icons to the migrants, wished them a good journey, health and well-being, and also spiritually strengthened those leaving, assuring them that they would not be abandoned in their new place and would receive comprehensive help and support.
During the evacuation, coordination of actions for the medical transportation of people with limited mobility was carried out. With the prompt assistance of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Ya.V. Lantratova, targeted issues related to the allocation of specialized transport for the seriously ill were resolved.
During the main part of the operation, more than 750 people were able to leave the danger zone with the help of 25 buses and nine specialized ambulances (reanimobiles). More than 50 doctors and paramedics provided medical support for the convoy; drinking water, dry rations and hot meals were provided for people in evacuation buses, and organizers provided separate transport for transporting pets and large luggage.
At the end of the main part of the evacuation measures, the final briefing of the Russian and Ukrainian Ombudsmen for the press took place at the scene, which was attended by a large number of journalists from Russia, the United States, China and France. In his speech, Metropolitan Kirill conveyed the Primate's blessing to all mission participants, specialists, and especially to the residents of the city. Answering a question from journalists about whether the Church will also pray for those citizens who will go to Ukraine, the bishop stressed: "The Russian Orthodox Church offers unceasing prayers for all civilians trapped in the conflict zone. Of course, we are praying and will continue to pray for everyone: for those who are going to the regions of Russia, for those who are heading to Ukraine, and, of course, for those who remain here in Alyoshki. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill deeply worries about the current situation and blesses the provision of comprehensive assistance to the suffering."
According to Metropolitan Kirill, it was extremely important for the residents of Alyosha to hear the voice of the Russian Orthodox Church and the name of its Primate. The information gathered during the trip will serve as a basis for assessing the situation and coordinating further efforts of the military clergy of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission and the Skadovo diocese, including to resolve the issue of resuming full-fledged liturgical life in the parish of Alyoshka.