Oleshky Ceasefire Began, but Strikes on Kyiv Continued

Russia and Ukraine each confirmed that a local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky began on October 27, Reuters reported on October 27. The ceasefire is meant to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations in a town facing acute shortages of food and medicine.

Russia’s defense ministry said on Telegram that it stopped shelling toward Kherson from 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27. Dmytro Lubinets, head of Ukraine’s negotiating team, said on Facebook that Ukraine is honoring its commitments and confirmed the timing given by Russia.

Lubinets added that the deal was reached in coordination with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, in cooperation with Russia’s human-rights commissioner Yana Lantratova. The ceasefire is an issue the first lady has pursued through mediation.

The ceasefire is limited to the Oleshky area. On the same day, strikes hit Kyiv’s Southern Bridge and subway infrastructure, forcing a traffic suspension, city officials and a Reuters witness said. Attacks elsewhere continued separately from the halt in Oleshky.

The date question remains unresolved. Announcements from the White House and the first lady’s office put the start on October 29, while the halt confirmed by military authorities began on October 27. Both dates should be stated side by side as each side gave them. Whether October 29 turns out to be the start of the full humanitarian mission is unconfirmed.

Whether aid has actually reached Oleshky, and whether evacuations have taken place, is also unconfirmed. What Reuters confirmed is the start of the halt and its purpose. The United Nations estimates about 2,000 civilians remain in Oleshky.