In brief
Officials report a ceasefire expansion across Ukraine’s Kherson region, reaching the Russian‑occupied city of Oleshky to facilitate the delivery of food, medicine and evacuation of residents. Despite the agreement, Oleshky remains cut off from basic utilities, and dozens of residents survive by consuming garden weeds. Russian and Ukrainian leaders confirm no breaches have occurred, while U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV are cited as key mediators. The truce lasts until 22:59 local time on 1 November, with hopes that it may pave the way for additional peace steps.
A ceasefire that began to bring food and medicine into the Russian‑occupied city of Oleshky has now been broadened to cover the whole southern Kherson region, officials said on Monday. The agreement, brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV, aims to create a corridor for humanitarian convoys and to allow residents to leave safely.
Oleshky is cut off from power, water and food, and residents have had to harvest and eat garden weeds to survive. Since the Kakhovka dam was destroyed in 2023, the city has suffered flooding and loss of basic services. Roads around the city have been mined and used for drone attacks, making escape extremely dangerous.
Russian and Ukrainian officials reported that the truce had been observed with no recorded breaches to date. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised U.S. mediation, while Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said a successful ceasefire could lead to further steps in the peace process.
Under the new terms, humanitarian aid is scheduled to enter Oleshky on Thursday, and an evacuation of the 1,700 to 2,000 residents still inside the city is planned for Friday. The withdrawal will continue until 22:59 local time on Sunday, 1 November, the longest suspension of fighting in the area since 2022.
Russian forces have reportedly cleared main access roads of mines in cooperation with engineering units to enable safe passage. Despite the progress, many locals remain wary of disclosing their locations for fear of reprisals.
The Russian‑installed head of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, announced that temporary accommodations would be prepared in Russian‑controlled areas, including Crimea, and across borders in Rostov, Krasnodar and Stavropol. His claims that most Oleshky residents prefer to leave for Russia have not yet been independently verified.
The situation remains tense, with reports of a landmine incident that left a woman hospitalized and doubts about whether residents can safely access the undisputed Ukrainian territories. Roads across the Dnipro River have been destroyed, and the riverbank remains mined, making any journey into Ukrainian‑controlled areas appear unlikely.
Zelensky warned that demining work could lead to evacuees heading towards Russia, potentially staying there. He further urged all trapped civilians to be able to return to Ukrainian control.
Additional reporting by local contributors underscores the desperation and uncertainty facing Oleshky’s residents during this fragile truce.
