Local ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky to allow aid and evacuations

A temporary ceasefire began Tuesday around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, to permit humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians. Ukrainian and Russian officials said their forces were observing the pause, and witnesses reported a rare lull along the frontline across the Dnipro River from Ukrainian-held Kherson.

The town, seized by Russia early in its 2022 invasion, has suffered severe shortages of food, water and medicine. Estimates cited by several outlets place its remaining population at roughly 1,500 to 2,000, down from about 24,000 before the war. Roads in the area are mined, while electricity, heating and running water are unavailable or severely limited.

The White House said first lady Melania Trump and her representatives negotiated the localized truce directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders. The Vatican has separately suggested Pope Leo helped secure the pause through calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both governments have confirmed the ceasefire, but the competing mediation claims have not been resolved.

Plans call for humanitarian corridors, aid deliveries and transportation for residents who want to leave. Details about monitoring and the organizations conducting the operation remain unclear. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could direct evacuees toward occupied Crimea or Russia and use the operation for propaganda.

The localized ceasefire does not apply across Ukraine. As it began, Kyiv reported that Russia had launched ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukrainian cities overnight, causing casualties and targeting energy, logistics and urban infrastructure.