Up to 2,000 civilians trapped in the southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky may soon receive urgent relief. A localized ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early Tuesday morning, creating a temporary pause in fighting so an emergency humanitarian mission can enter the Russian-occupied town.
Residents in Oleshky have faced extreme hardship with dwindling supplies of food and medicine. According to the United Nations, people have been unable to leave the area because of explosive landmines and drone attacks. The town was captured by Russian forces on the first day of the invasion in 2022, and it suffered further devastation in June 2023 when a collapsed dam flooded the region.
The temporary pause started at 3 a.m. and is scheduled to last through Saturday, or possibly longer. U.S. first lady Melania Trump helped lead discussions with civilian negotiators from both nations after meeting with U.N. officials. Under the agreement, relief teams plan to deliver doctors, medicines, food, and clean water into Oleshky before opening corridors to evacuate trapped residents.
Even as guns fell silent around Oleshky, the broader conflict quickly shattered any sense of peace elsewhere. Minutes after the ceasefire began, Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, and attacks were also reported in Kharkiv. Officials noted that deep mistrust has ruined previous ceasefires, but negotiators hope this humanitarian effort will succeed before wider peace talks take place next month.