Photo: t.me/dmytro_lubinetzs
A ceasefire has been introduced in Russian-occupied Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, to allow a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to civilians and prepare for the evacuation of residents. Ukrainian and Russian military officials have both reported that the truce is being observed.
Latest developments
Updated at 12:35 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed the leaders of Norway and Finland on the US-mediated humanitarian operation near Oleshky during a phone call, the Kremlin said. It was the first conversation between Putin and European leaders in a long time.
What is happening in Oleshky
The ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on October 27 in a designated area of temporarily occupied Oleshky. Russia said it had also halted fire on the Kherson front from 4 a.m. Moscow time.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, announced the launch of the humanitarian mission and a bilateral ceasefire in the area.
Ukraine’s parliamentary human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, travelled to the site to coordinate the operation, Budanov said.
Goals of the ceasefire
Ukraine’s General Staff said the ceasefire was introduced solely to facilitate the humanitarian operation, which aims to:
Deliver humanitarian aid to residents still trapped in Oleshky. An estimated 2,000–6,000 civilians remain in the city under blockade.
Prepare for the safe movement of civilians and the evacuation of those wishing to leave.
Establish conditions for humanitarian activities within the designated area.
Ukrainian military officials urged the public not to share unverified information about routes, timings or the movements of civilians and humanitarian convoys, and to rely on official updates.
Who is coordinating the mission
The operation is being conducted with the mediation and coordination of US First Lady Melania Trump. Ukraine’s negotiating team is led by Lubinets, while Russia’s delegation is headed by its human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova.
Lubinets said both sides were complying with the agreements reached during negotiations. He said he would continue to update the public while prioritizing civilian safety.
What Melania Trump’s team said
Mark Beckman, a senior adviser to the US first lady, told Ukrinform that Melania Trump became interested in the situation in Oleshky after learning about residents’ plight during an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
According to Beckman, informal communication channels established during previous operations to reunite Ukrainian children with their families were used to arrange the negotiations.
He said Ukraine and Russia had agreed on mechanisms for implementing the humanitarian plan. However, details of security guarantees and responses to potential ceasefire violations have not been disclosed.
Kremlin confirms ceasefire
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the ceasefire in Oleshky had taken effect and that no reports of violations had been received.
Asked whether residents would be evacuated through Russia and Ukraine or only through Russia, Peskov said the military would provide details.
Russia’s Defence Ministry also announced a halt to fire on the Kherson front from 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27 in connection with preparations for the humanitarian operation.
How compliance will be monitored
Beckman said the United States had proposed involving American television network Newsmax in documenting the operation. Journalists are expected to record the mission using video, photographs and audio.
Ukrainian and Russian civilian representatives are also expected to work on the ground to assess residents’ needs and assist with evacuation.
According to Beckman, residents will be able to choose whether to leave for Ukraine or Russia or remain in their homes. He added that the ceasefire could be extended by mutual agreement if more time were needed to complete the humanitarian tasks.
Background
Oleshky, under Russian occupation, is facing a critical humanitarian situation. Residents have been struggling with shortages of food, drinking water, medicine and medical care, while remaining exposed to the dangers of ongoing hostilities.
Deliveries are complicated by mined roads and movement restrictions. Ukrainian forces have previously used drones to deliver food to residents, but the supplies have been insufficient to meet the population’s needs.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the city and for civilians to be given the opportunity to evacuate. The current mission is intended to enable aid deliveries and organize the departure of residents who wish to leave.
Ukraine’s Defence Forces have urged the public to follow official updates and avoid sharing information that could endanger civilians or participants in the humanitarian mission.
