‘If this works, it will be the first real ceasefire across a large stretch of the front’: Russia and Ukraine maintain truce in occupied Oleshky for more than two days

Since October 27, Russia and Ukraine have observed a truce around the city of Oleshky, located in occupied territory. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets confirmed on October 29 that the ceasefire had been maintained for over two days. Russia's human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, reported that humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, medicine and hygiene products, had been delivered to Oleshky during this period.

Lubinets and Lantratova traveled to Oleshky on the afternoon of October 29 to oversee the delivery of aid and ensure safe evacuation of residents. Both agreed their primary goal was to aid the population and facilitate safe evacuations. Organizers of the ceasefire viewed it as a test to determine if Ukrainian and Russian military commanders could adhere to political agreements to end hostilities.

Implementing a ceasefire proved challenging, as the mere declaration of a ceasefire does not ensure compliance on the battlefield, according to a source in President Zelensky’s administration. Ukrainian soldiers repeatedly requested assurances that their safety would not be compromised during the halt in hostilities. The source explained that the military needed to be conditioned to comply with political directives to halt fighting, as political agreements and military action must be synchronized.

Maintaining the ceasefire in Oleshky is expected to be simpler for the Russian side than the Ukrainian side, given Russia's more rigid military hierarchy. If the ceasefire around Oleshky persists until the evening of November 1, the Ukrainian side plans to extend similar local ceasefires to other sections of the front. This test could pave the way for broader implementation of ceasefires following major political agreements.

Despite the challenging conditions, the military and other entities have attempted to undermine the truce. However, organizers remain optimistic that this agreement will set a precedent for future ceasefires across the front.