Russia halts strikes on Ukraine’s Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect

Russia has suspended strikes on the Ukrainian province of Kherson as a localised ceasefire takes effect ahead of a humanitarian mission led by the United States' First Lady Melania Trump.

Key points

• Russian troops seized Oleshky during the first ⁠days of their February 2022 invasion and have controlled it ever since.
• Oleshky has suffered extensive war damage and was hit hard by flooding after the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023.
• They have been unable to leave since of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area, according to the United Nations.
• Negotiators involved in the aid mission remarked doctors, medicines, food supplies and water would be taken to Oleshky before evacuation corridors are opened.
• The mission will enable aid deliveries and allow evacuations from the front-line town.

Notably, the pause in fighting began at 01: 00 GMT on Tuesday, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, to allow for an aid mission into the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Kherson afterwards this week.

For context, the mission will enable aid deliveries and allow evacuations from the front-line town. It is suffering acute shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies.

As Washington seeks to revive peace discussions between Moscow and Kyiv after more than four and a half years of fighting, the agreement was confirmed on October ‌23 and brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, with the further involvement of Pope Leo.

Up to 2, 000 individuals remain in Oleshky. They have been unable to leave since of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area, according to the United Nations.

For context, the town, which had a pre-war population of 24, 000 individuals, lies on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the partially occupied Kherson region, opposite Kherson city. It is held by Ukrainian forces. Russian troops seized Oleshky during the first ⁠days of their February 2022 invasion and have controlled it ever since.

Meanwhile, the localised ceasefire is due to last through Saturday, or longer, against the backdrop of deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine that has thwarted previous attempts at ceasefires.

For now, russia halts strikes on Ukraine's Kherson as Oleshky ceasefire takes effect remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.