Russia has suspended military strikes across the Ukrainian province of Kherson as a localised ceasefire came into effect on Tuesday. The pause in combat operations began at 01:00 GMT, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
The temporary halt in fighting was arranged to facilitate an upcoming humanitarian mission into the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Kherson later in the week. Negotiators involved in the effort stated that doctors, medicines, food supplies and water will be delivered to the town before evacuation corridors are opened.
The mission aims to deliver essential aid and enable civilian evacuations from the front-line area. Oleshky has endured severe shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies.
US First Lady Melania Trump brokered the agreement alongside Pope Leo. The diplomatic push forms part of Washington’s efforts to revive peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv after more than four and a half years of conflict.
The United Nations reports that up to 2,000 residents remain trapped in Oleshky. They have been unable to leave due to explosive mines and persistent drone attacks in the surrounding area.
Oleshky sits on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River within the partially occupied Kherson region, located opposite Kherson city, which is currently held by Ukrainian forces. Russian troops captured the town during the initial days of their February 2022 invasion and have maintained control since.
The settlement previously held a population of 24,000 people before the war. It has sustained extensive structural damage and suffered severe flooding following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023.
The current localised ceasefire is scheduled to last through Saturday, though it could be extended. Previous attempts at establishing ceasefires have routinely faltered due to deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv.
