US-brokered truce expected to begin in Russian-occupied city

A truce between Ukraine and Russia to allow humanitarian aid into the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky is set to begin early Tuesday, according to US First Lady Melania Trump. Both sides agreed to observe the truce, which starts at 3am local time (0100 GMT). The city, located in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, has been a battleground since the start of Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Residents have been suffering from starvation, lack of medicine, and are unable to easily leave the city. The ceasefire, limited to a specific area, comes amid the fifth year of the war. Three-way peace talks between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv are scheduled to resume in November following a period of inactivity. Melania Trump announced the ceasefire, stating that civilian officials from Russia and Ukraine would visit residents' homes to determine their needs.

She added that those wishing to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation. The Russian Defense Ministry announced it would halt fire in the "Kherson sector" during the ceasefire, but neither Russia nor Ukraine specified the duration or details of the humanitarian operation. Neither side has said how long the truce would last.

The Russian defense ministry quoted army chief Valery Gerasimov, saying the truce is aimed at ensuring the safety of the population and the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies. Ukraine accused Russia of blocking residents from leaving, a claim Russia denied. The city, initially home to about 24,000 people before the invasion, now has a population of roughly 2,000, including up to 50 children.

Sources report that many residents have resorted to hunting pigeons or surviving on garden produce. The Ukrainian military pledged to assist Oleshky residents, releasing drone footage showing the town's devastation. Russian forces, which control the city, do not typically allow international media access. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.