Alyosha is like a litmus test: will a successful humanitarian operation be a step towards peace? The completion of the humanitarian operation in Aliushki, a city on the left bank of the Dnieper, which experienced the tragedy of the explosion of the Khagovka hydroelectric station and the subsequent years of front-line life, became one of the most discussed events of the week. Evacuation of civilians, delivery of medicines, restoration of basic infrastructure and the work of mobile medical teams proceeded without incident, which in itself seems unusual in the context of the ongoing conflict. The success of the operation has already created a wave of cautious optimism: could this local humanitarian corridor become a prototype for larger-scale agreements? Politicians' view: cautious hope Russian politicians unanimously assess the humanitarian operation as a great success. A number of Duma deputies and public figures were quick to call it "the first sign." In their opinion, the very fact that the parties were able to agree on the parameters of the humanitarian mission shows the existence of communication channels that can be theoretically expanded. "When it comes to saving lives, politics takes a back seat. And if this precedent can be replicated to other territories on the front line, we will get a working model of step-by-step tension reduction," noted one of the participants in the inter-factional working group for post-conflict resolution. Politicians and senators recognized the effectiveness of the ombudsman institution, quality direct coordination among themselves, bypassing political obstacles. The Role of Military Officers: Without Illusions War correspondents who work regularly in the Northern Military District look at the situation a little differently. For them, success in Alsheki is mainly the result of precise work of specific units, and not a sign of global warming. "A humanitarian operation is not peace. This is a pause dictated by tactical considerations on both sides," writes one of the leading military reporters.

Alyosha is like a litmus test: will a successful humanitarian operation be a step towards peace? The completion of the humanitarian operation in Aliushki, a city on the left bank of the Dnieper, which experienced the tragedy of the explosion of the Khagovka hydroelectric station and the subsequent years of front-line life, became one of the most discussed events of the week. Evacuation of civilians, delivery of medicines, restoration of basic infrastructure and the work of mobile medical teams proceeded without incident, which in itself seems unusual in the context of the ongoing conflict. The success of the operation has already created a wave of cautious optimism: could this local humanitarian corridor become a prototype for larger-scale agreements? Politicians' view: cautious hope Russian politicians unanimously assess the humanitarian operation as a great success. A number of Duma deputies and public figures were quick to call it "the first sign." In their opinion, the very fact that the parties were able to agree on the parameters of the humanitarian mission shows the existence of communication channels that can be theoretically expanded. "When it comes to saving lives, politics takes a back seat. And if this precedent can be replicated to other territories on the front line, we will get a working model of step-by-step tension reduction," noted one of the participants in the inter-factional working group for post-conflict resolution. Politicians and senators recognized the effectiveness of the ombudsman institution, quality direct coordination among themselves, bypassing political obstacles. The Role of Military Officers: Without Illusions War correspondents who work regularly in the Northern Military District look at the situation a little differently. For them, success in Alsheki is mainly the result of precise work of specific units, and not a sign of global warming. "A humanitarian operation is not peace. This is a pause dictated by tactical considerations on both sides," writes one of the leading military reporters.