Russia and Ukraine start regional ceasefire for humanitarian operation in Oleshky
Moscow and Kyiv both said a local truce began on Tuesday to allow aid and evacuations in Oleshky, while strikes continued elsewhere, including on Kyiv.
Oleshky, Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine both said on Tuesday that a regional ceasefire has begun, clearing the way for a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, a town under Russian occupation. Fighting continues in other areas, including the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Purpose and timing of the truce
The pause is intended to allow aid deliveries and evacuations from the frontline town in southern Ukraine, which is suffering from acute shortages of food and medicine. Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram that it stopped shelling toward the Ukrainian city of Kherson at 4 a.m. Moscow time (0100 GMT) in order to prepare for the operation in Oleshky. The town faces Kherson across the Dnipro River.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights, confirmed Russia’s timing in a Facebook post. He wrote: “As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments.” Lubinets added that the arrangement was reached in coordination with US First Lady Melania Trump and in cooperation with Yana Lantratova, Russia’s commissioner for human rights.
Strikes continue in Kyiv
City officials said new strikes on Tuesday damaged the Southern Bridge and subway infrastructure in Kyiv, which led to a suspension of traffic. A Reuters witness heard explosions.
Background on Oleshky
Oleshky sits on the eastern bank of the Dnipro in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, opposite the city of Kherson, which Ukrainian forces hold. Russian troops have controlled Oleshky since capturing it in the first days of their invasion in February 2022.
Diplomatic efforts
White House envoys have spoken with both sides in recent days as the United States seeks to mediate a peace deal to end the war, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States had agreed to hold a technical-level meeting in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November to continue the talks.
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