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Local Russia-Ukraine ceasefire takes effect in occupied Oleshky
Russia and Ukraine said a limited pause in fighting around Oleshky in Kherson began early Tuesday to allow aid and evacuations, in a deal credited to U.S. first lady Melania Trump, Al Jazeera, RTE, DW and the Kyiv Independent reported.
- RTE News, DW and Kyiv Independent are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Russia halts strikes on Ukraine’s Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect”
- Our desk filed its story
- Now breaking news
Russia and Ukraine said a localized ceasefire around the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Kherson took effect early Tuesday, Oct. 27, to allow humanitarian aid and possible evacuations later this week1,2,4,5.
Both sides said the pause began at 3 a.m. local time (0100 GMT)2,4,5. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces had stopped fire in the Kherson sector to prepare for a humanitarian convoy into Oleshky1,2,4.
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said, “As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honoring its commitments”4,5. He said the talks were with Yana Lantratova, who heads the Russian negotiating team5.
The arrangement was announced last week and credited to U.S. first lady Melania Trump after talks with civilian negotiators from both sides1,4. Al Jazeera also cited involvement by Pope Leo1; the Kyiv Independent referred to Pope Leo XIV’s attention to the city’s conditions5.
Oleshky, on the eastern bank of the Dnipro opposite Ukrainian-held Kherson city, was seized in the first days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and has remained under Russian control1,2. Its pre-war population was about 24,000; about 2,000 people, including as many as 50 children in Ukrainian and U.S. estimates, are still there1,2,4.
The United Nations has said residents face shortages of food and medicine and cannot leave because of mines and drone attacks1,4. The town was also flooded after the 2023 destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam1,4.
Melania Trump said last week that civilian officials would visit residents and that those who wished to leave would get transport to a preferred destination, including toward Russia or Ukraine, RTE reported2. RTE said neither Moscow, Kyiv nor Washington had said who would monitor the truce or given details of the aid operation2. DW said a drop in fighting could not be independently verified4.
The pause is described as running through Saturday, or longer1,5. RTE said Newsmax claimed exclusive television access to accompany observers entering the city on Thursday2.
The Kyiv Independent said ballistic missiles were launched at other parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv, within minutes of the Oleshky pause5. Al Jazeera did not lead with those strikes1. Three-way U.S.-Russia-Ukraine talks are expected in November, RTE reported2.
Sources
- Al JazeeraRussia halts strikes on Ukraine’s Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect
- RTE NewsRussia, Ukraine begin US-brokered ceasefire in Oleshky
- APLocalized Russia-Ukraine ceasefire takes effect in Oleshky in deal brokered by Melania Trump
- DWUkraine and Russia begin Oleshky ceasefire for aid mission
- Kyiv IndependentLocal ceasefire in besieged Oleshky begins, Ukrainian, Russian officials say
How it’s being reported
5 sourcesFirst reported by 
RTE News
Show all
Russia halts strikes on Ukraine’s Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect
Russian Defense Ministry timing and the humanitarian mission later this week
Staff report with AP material: Russia said it paused strikes in Kherson as a localized Oleshky ceasefire began at 01:00 GMT for aid and evacuations.
Leaves out Missile strikes elsewhere in Ukraine after the pause began
RTE NewsFirstRussia, Ukraine begin US-brokered ceasefire in Oleshky
Melania Trump’s announcement and unanswered questions on monitoring
Both sides said they would observe a limited truce from 3 a.m. local time for humanitarian access to occupied Oleshky.
Leaves out Independent confirmation that fire had actually stopped
Ukraine and Russia begin Oleshky ceasefire for aid mission
Humanitarian conditions and Ukrainian ombudsman confirmation
DW report drawing on AFP, AP, dpa and Reuters: both sides confirmed a 3 a.m. local start; independent verification of reduced fighting was lacking.
Leaves out Newsmax access claim carried by RTE
Local ceasefire in besieged Oleshky begins, Ukrainian, Russian officials say
Lubinets’s statement and strikes outside the ceasefire zone
Ukrainian and Russian officials said the Oleshky pause began as Russian ballistic missiles were reported elsewhere in Ukraine.
Leaves out Newsmax television access
Localized Russia-Ukraine ceasefire takes effect in Oleshky in deal brokered by Melania Trump
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Where they agree
- A localized ceasefire around Oleshky was said by both sides to start at 3 a.m. local time Tuesday.
- The purpose is humanitarian access and possible evacuations in a Russian-occupied Kherson town.
- The deal is credited to mediation by U.S. first lady Melania Trump.
- About 2,000 people remain in a town that had about 24,000 residents before 2022.
Where they differ
Whether fighting actually stopped in the ceasefire zone
Scope of religious involvement in the deal