Local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump starts in southern Ukraine
A localized ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early Tuesday ahead of a humanitarian mission brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, as missile attacks resumed in Kyiv.
Russia and Ukraine began a localized ceasefire early Tuesday to facilitate a humanitarian operation in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The truce, which the White House said was helped to be secured by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, is intended to allow for aid deliveries and evacuations. According to the Jerusalem Post and Business Recorder, Russia's defense ministry stated it stopped shelling toward the city of Kherson starting at 4 a.m. Moscow time to prepare for the operation.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s parliament commissioner for human rights, confirmed via Facebook that the Ukrainian side is honoring its commitments.
The ceasefire is centered around Oleshky, a town on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River that has been under Russian control since the early days of the February 2022 invasion. DW News reports that approximately 2,000 people, including up to 50 children, remain trapped in the town. These residents face severe shortages of food and medicine, and while the United Nations notes these shortages, DW News adds that mines and drone attacks have hindered efforts to leave.
While the ceasefire was established to assist the town, NPR reported that missile attacks resumed in Kyiv. DW News noted that it could not be independently verified whether fighting had decreased elsewhere.
Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, Jerusalem Post, DW English (Top Stories), DW News, Business Recorder — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
