Russia, Ukraine begin localized ceasefire to allow for humanitarian operation in Oleshky

On Tuesday, Russia and Ukraine initiated a localized ceasefire to facilitate a humanitarian operation in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, according to both sides. The Russian defense ministry announced on Telegram that they halted their shelling in the direction of Kherson at 4 a.m. Moscow time (0100 GMT) to prepare for the humanitarian effort in Oleshky, a town situated just across the Dnipro River from Kherson.

Ukraine's parliament commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, verified via Facebook that the ceasefire commenced simultaneously. As the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Lubinets confirmed that Ukraine is upholding its commitments.

This localized ceasefire around Oleshky in southern Ukraine aims to permit aid deliveries and enable evacuations from a frontline town facing severe shortages of food and medicine. Oleshky is located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, opposite the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson, which Russian forces seized during their February 2022 invasion and have maintained control over since then.

The White House disclosed last week that US First Lady Melania Trump played a role in securing the Oleshky ceasefire. Meanwhile, in other parts of Ukraine, a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday resulted in at least one death and 10 injuries, including students at a dormitory. The attacks also claimed lives and caused injuries in the cities of Kharkiv and Pavlohrad. New explosions were reported on Tuesday morning in Kyiv, as per a Reuters witness.