Humanitarian ceasefire begins in Oleshky after Melania Trump brokers deal

A humanitarian ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect on October 27 in and around Oleshky, a Russian-controlled city in southern Ukraine's Kherson region. The agreement, announced a week earlier by US First Lady Melania Trump, began at 3 a.m. Kiev time (4 a.m. Moscow time), with Russia's Defence Ministry confirming a cessation of fire toward Kherson across the Dnieper River. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets confirmed via social media that Ukraine was honoring its commitments under the ceasefire.

Oleshky, seized by Russian forces in February 2022, sits on the left bank of the Dnieper River, which now forms the front line in Kherson region. The city, once home to 24,000 residents, is estimated to have approximately 6,000 people remaining, including 200 children. The population has faced severe shortages of food and essential supplies, with residents trapped between Ukrainian positions across the river and Russian forces to the east.

Under the agreement, non-military civilian officials from both countries will visit residents to assess humanitarian needs and facilitate evacuations. According to Trump's statement, some residents wish to relocate to Russia while others prefer to move to Ukrainian-controlled areas, with transportation to be arranged to their preferred destinations. The ceasefire applies only to the area immediately around Oleshky and was designed to enable aid deliveries and civilian evacuation operations.

The humanitarian pause coincided with ongoing military operations elsewhere. On the night of October 26, Russian forces conducted a missile strike on Kyiv, striking educational institutions, residential buildings, metro stations, and medical facilities. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschenko reported at least one death and 10 injuries, with nine people hospitalized and three in serious condition. Several injured were students struck outside dormitories near the Dnieper River. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescue operations were ongoing and final casualty figures were not yet confirmed, while calling on allies to accelerate delivery of air defence systems.