In brief
One week after U.S. First Lady Melania Trump said she brokered a truce, the city of Oleshky, held by Russia since February 2022, has entered a ceasefire period. The pause is intended to facilitate humanitarian deliveries and the evacuation of civilians trapped on the south bank of the Dnipro. Ukrainian officials confirm that the ceasefire is respected, while the Russian defence ministry stated it has halted fire toward Kherson in preparation for humanitarian operations. Amid the broader war, residents and international observers are cautiously optimistic that the pause will bring relief, but uncertainty about the long‑term future of the area remains.
A ceasefire has begun in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, a week after U.S. First Lady Melania Trump announced the truce.
The pause aims to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians trapped on the southern bank of the Dnipro River, which has become a frontline between Ukrainian forces and Russian occupiers.
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner for parliament, Dmytro Lubinets, confirmed the ceasefire on social media, saying the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments. He added that the city, once home to 24,000 people, now hosts about 6,000 residents, including 200 children.
Russia’s defence ministry posted on Telegram that it had stopped firing toward Kherson at 04:00 Moscow time, signalling preparation for the humanitarian operation. The statement did not explicitly mention the ceasefire in Oleshky but implied a temporary halt in hostilities.
The White House noted last week that Melania Trump had secured the ceasefire, citing a press release that her private diplomacy would help assess local needs and facilitate assistance, without elaborating on the negotiation process.
For civilians, the announcement brings a cautious optimism: many have endured weeks of scarce supplies and are now awaiting the arrival of food, medicine and the possibility of safer evacuation routes. Local activists, as seen in the accompanying photo, continue to press international attention on their plight.
While the truce offers temporary relief, analysts point out that without a comprehensive diplomatic settlement the ceasefire could be fragile, reflecting the broader uncertainties that still surround the Ukraine war.
