Truce takes hold in occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow aid and evacuations

A truce has started in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine, one week after US First Lady Melania Trump announced it. The ceasefire is intended to let aid reach residents and allow civilians to be evacuated.

Russia's defence ministry said on Telegram that its forces stopped firing toward Kherson at 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT), as preparation for the humanitarian operation. Kherson is the Ukrainian-held city across the river from Oleshky.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's parliament commissioner for human rights, confirmed on Facebook that the ceasefire had begun. "As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments," he wrote.

Oleshky lies on the south bank of the Dnipro, which forms the front line in the Kherson region. Russia took the city in the first days of its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Residents have since been caught between Ukrainian positions across the river and Russian forces to the east, with little food available.

Before the war, Oleshky had a population of 24,000. Ukraine now estimates that about 6,000 people remain in the city and surrounding areas, among them 200 children. The remaining residents have been desperately short of food and other essentials.

The White House said last week that Melania Trump had secured the ceasefire. In a press release, she said: "Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require."

The US first lady keeps a relatively lower profile than some of her predecessors and is only occasionally seen at White House events. She has nonetheless become involved in humanitarian issues arising from the war between Russia and Ukraine. In August 2025, she wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling him it was "time to protect children and future generations worldwide".