Russia suspends strikes on Kherson as ceasefire enables humanitarian aid to Oleshky
A localized ceasefire in the Kherson region, negotiated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, has halted Russian attacks to allow aid deliveries and evacuations in the town of Oleshky.
Russia announced a pause in its strikes on Ukraine's Kherson province beginning at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday, citing a localized ceasefire that will facilitate a humanitarian mission to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshny. The ceasefire, which is expected to last until Saturday or longer, was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump with involvement from Pope Francis, as part of broader efforts to revive peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
The mission aims to deliver doctors, medicines, food and water to Oleshny and to open evacuation corridors for residents who have been unable to leave due to mines and drone attacks, according to the United Nations. Up to 2,000 people remain in the town, which had a pre-war population of about 24,000.
Oleshny, situated on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River opposite the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson, has endured extensive war damage and flooding following the 2023 destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam. Russian forces captured the town in the early days of their February 2022 invasion and have maintained control since then.