White House says Melania Trump brokered ceasefire for occupied Ukrainian city Oleshky

First lady Melania Trump has brokered a localized ceasefire for the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region, the White House said. According to her office, both sides will temporarily halt fighting there from Thursday, Oct. 29, to let humanitarian aid enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe corridor.

Melania Trump called Oleshky "a front-line war city on the brink of disaster." She said her representatives worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership on the terms. Civilian officials from both countries are to visit residents in their homes to assess their needs, and those who wish to leave will be transported to a destination of their choice, some to Russia and some to Ukraine, she said.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv confirmed the announcement on Friday. Ukrainian media say the small town on the Dnipro's left bank, across from Kherson, is largely cut off and escape routes are frequently targeted by drones. CBS News noted that such an announcement from a first lady's office is unusual.