Ukraine Warupdated 2h ago3 min read
MapRussia Suspends Strikes On Kherson As Melania Trump Ceasefire Begins In Oleshky
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Localized ceasefire in Oleshky begins, enabling humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. Russia suspends strikes on Kherson as the ceasefire takes effect.
Oleshky ceasefire starts
Russia suspended strikes on the Ukrainian province of Kherson as a localized ceasefire took effect ahead of a humanitarian mission led by US First Lady Melania Trump, with the pause in fighting starting at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The ceasefire was meant to allow aid deliveries and evacuations from the front-line town of Oleshky, which is suffering acute shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies. The agreement was announced on October 23 and brokered by Melania Trump, with additional involvement of Pope Leo, as Washington sought to revive peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv after more than four and a half years of fighting.
The United Nations said up to 2,000 people remain in Oleshky and they have been unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area, while the town lies on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River opposite Kherson city held by Ukrainian forces. Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram it had stopped firing toward the Ukrainian city of Kherson at 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT) in preparation for the humanitarian operation, and Ukraine’s parliament commissioner for human rights Dmytro Lubinets confirmed in a social media post that the ceasefire had begun.
Humanitarian mission and disputes
Dmytro Lubinets said the ceasefire went into effect at 3:00 a.m. Kyiv time Tuesday and wrote, "As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments," on Facebook.
Melania Trump said in a statement Friday, "The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks," as she described the ceasefire as part of a humanitarian effort.
The White House said Melania Trump secured the ceasefire in Oleshky and added that "Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require," according to a press release.
Russia and Ukraine both confirmed the pause was intended to help evacuate elderly residents and bring humanitarian aid to the town, but CNN reported it was unclear how long the ceasefire was due to last.
The Hill reported that the local pause in fighting started at 3 a.m. in Ukraine to allow an aid mission into Oleshky later this week, while the local ceasefire was due to last through Saturday, or longer, amid deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine that has thwarted previous attempts at ceasefires.
Stakes for civilians trapped
Ukraine estimated that some 6,000 people remain in Oleshky and its surrounding areas, including 200 children, while the White House said Melania Trump would coordinate visits by non-military, civilian leaders to determine assistance needs. CNN said Ukrainian authorities had said about 1,700 people remain in Oleshky, and it reported that the ceasefire was intended to help evacuate elderly residents and bring urgently needed humanitarian aid to the town on the frontlines of the fighting. The UN said residents have been unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks, and the agreement was designed to enable aid deliveries and allow evacuations from the front-line town.
“No end date for the truce has been provided.”
The Hill said up to 2,000 people are stranded in Oleshky with dwindling supplies of food and medicine, and it reported that they have been unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area. The Guardian said no end date for the truce had been provided, and it reported that neither Russia, Ukraine nor the US had said who would monitor the truce or given details about the humanitarian operation set to accompany it.