Russia Halts Kherson Strikes as US-Brokered Ceasefire Allows Humanitarian Mission to Oleshky

Russia has announced a suspension of military operations in Ukraine's Kherson province, coinciding with the implementation of a localized ceasefire. This pause in hostilities, effective from 01:00 GMT on Tuesday, is intended to facilitate a humanitarian mission to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Kherson later this week. The ceasefire was agreed upon on October 23 and brokered with the involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo, as Washington endeavors to restart peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv after more than four and a half years of conflict.

The humanitarian mission aims to deliver essential aid and establish evacuation corridors for the approximately 2,000 residents remaining in Oleshky. According to the United Nations, these civilians have been unable to depart due to the presence of explosive mines and ongoing drone attacks in the vicinity. The town, which once had a population of 24,000 before the war, is situated on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. It suffered significant damage during the conflict and was severely impacted by flooding in 2023 following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the pause in fighting is scheduled to last through Saturday, with the possibility of extension, amidst persistent deep mistrust between the two nations that has previously hindered ceasefire agreements. Negotiators involved in the current aid mission confirmed that medical supplies, food, and water will be transported to Oleshky before evacuation routes are opened.