Longest truce of Ukraine war ends in Kherson

On Sunday, the longest cease-fire during the ongoing Ukraine war came to an end in the eastern Kherson region, Ukrainian officials confirmed. The infrequent truce, initiated by US First Lady Melania Trump, lasted from October 27 to November 1 and facilitated a humanitarian mission to the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Neither side reported violations during the brief respite, described by Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, as "an important step in our joint humanitarian efforts" with Russia.

The conflict, fueled by Russia's 2022 invasion, has devastated eastern and southern Ukraine, causing significant loss of life and displacement. Kherson residents expressed relief at the ceasefire, with one gardener noting the time was used to prune rose bushes for winter. Pope Leo, who had advocated for a truce in Oleshky, hoped the pause would bolster dialogue and lead to new peace initiatives.

Ukrainian military officials warned the fighting could intensify upon resumption. Both sides conducted strikes outside Kherson on Sunday; Russia claimed a drone hit an industrial facility east of Moscow, while Ukrainian media reported Kyiv's attack on a major Russian oil refinery. US President Donald Trump urged Kyiv to cease strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, attributing rising diesel costs to Iran-related violence.

Ukraine's energy ministry reported power outages nationwide, including in Kyiv, following Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities. No civilian casualties were reported, though both sides deny targeting civilians. Russia now controls about one-fifth of Ukraine: the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014, the Donbas region, and vast areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to resume this month after being suspended since February due to US and Israel's joint strikes on Iran.