Oleshky: humanitarian ceasefire set to begin on Oct. 27
A local ceasefire has been agreed for the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky to allow aid deliveries and evacuations. Zelenskyy calls the operation “extremely difficult.”
Archive image · Photo: Gottinight / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
A temporary local ceasefire has been agreed for the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, announced on Oct. 24 that it is due to begin on Oct. 27. The plan includes clearing mines from the access road, delivering food, water, medicine and medical equipment, and safe passage out for civilians. The deal was brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, who reportedly spoke with both sides.
About 2,000 civilians remain in Oleshky, across the Dnipro River from Kherson, according to the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops are reportedly blocking aid, and people fleeing along mined roads are often attacked by drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would fulfill its part of the “extremely difficult” operation. Under the plan, civilian representatives of both sides are to visit residents to assess their needs, and evacuees are to be taken to a destination of their choice.
European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno ended a hunger strike after the announcement, which she had been staging since Oct. 20 to draw attention to the situation in Oleshky. Pope Leo XIV had earlier also called for a ceasefire for the town following a phone call with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16.