After years under fire, a rare quiet settles over Ukrainian city as truce holds

KHERSON, Ukraine (AP) — A six-day ceasefire brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump has brought rare calm to the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson, located across the Dnipro River from the Russian-occupied part of the region. The ceasefire was tied to a humanitarian aid mission in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, which is reportedly on the brink of disaster due to a lack of food and medical supplies.

The peace lasted for a full day on Wednesday, allowing residents to venture out and enjoy a brief respite from the constant threat of Russian drones and land mines. Many took advantage of the quiet to stock up on groceries, gather belongings, and check on their properties, which had been damaged during the war. However, the calm still felt unsettling, as many residents are wary of returning to areas closer to the river, where they once ran businesses and now fear Russian retribution.

The conflict has left deep scars on Kherson, with plywood covering windows, shattered glass, and billboards displaying faded advertisements. One resident, Anton Shakhunov, still lingers in the apartment he once rented, haunted by memories of his business and the Russian world that now dominates the city. The fear of Russian drones remains the most haunting threat, as they were responsible for numerous civilian casualties and have made residents hesitant to step outside.

Additionally, mines laid by Russian forces continue to pose a danger, with residents walking carefully to avoid hidden explosives. Despite the brief pause in fighting, few expect the situation to remain peaceful for long, as many fear Russia will use the truce as an opportunity to regroup and intensify their attacks.