Russia halts strikes on Ukraine’s Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect

On Tuesday morning, Russia and Ukraine implemented a localized ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The truce began at 3 a.m. local time, following an agreement brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump. Both nations confirmed the ceasefire's commencement, with Ukraine's human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets and Russia's Defense Ministry both acknowledging their respective commitments.

Oleshky, once home to 24,000 residents before Russia's invasion in February 2022, currently houses around 2,000 people, including up to 50 children. The town faces severe shortages of food and medicine, making it difficult for those still trapped to leave due to mines and drone attacks. Former residents reported starvation and survival through scavenging for pigeons or garden-grown food.

Before the ceasefire, the White House reported that Melania Trump had secured the agreement after talks with civilian negotiators from both countries. She stated that civilian officials from Russia and Ukraine would visit Oleshky to assess the needs of residents. Doctors, food, drinking water, and medicine were expected to arrive before evacuation corridors are established.

Residents may choose to evacuate to either Russia or Ukraine, with coordinated support and transportation provided accordingly. However, there is uncertainty regarding the duration and monitoring of the ceasefire, with conflicting reports on its length and the entities responsible for ensuring adherence. Meanwhile, missile attacks continued in other parts of Ukraine, causing casualties and damage in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Pavlohrad.