Civilians in Ukraine's Kherson prepare for return of war as localized ceasefire ends

Kherson, Ukraine - As the most significant ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly five years ago comes to an end, civilians in Ukraine’s southeastern Kherson region are bracing for the return of war on Sunday evening. The White House revealed that U.S. first lady Melania Trump played a key role in brokering the limited truce, which began early Tuesday and is expected to expire Sunday.

The ceasefire, which allowed besieged residents in the front-line city of Oleshky to be evacuated through a rare joint operation, has provided Oleshky residents with the freedom to move around, access essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine, and regain a sense of dignity without the constant threat of attack. According to Melania Trump, "Let Oleshky become the starting point for lasting peace."

An estimated 2,000 civilians were in Oleshky when the temporary truce took effect, and they were given the choice to evacuate to either Ukraine-controlled or Russian-controlled territory or to remain in the city with replenishment.