A ceasefire initially intended to provide humanitarian relief to the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky has been extended across the wider Kherson region of southern Ukraine. The truce, which began early on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Both Russian and Ukrainian officials reported that the agreement was being observed as of Tuesday evening, with no reported breaches in Kherson city or the surrounding province.
The city of Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has been without electricity, gas, or running water since the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023. Between 1,700 and 2,000 residents remain in the city, with several thousand more in nearby areas. Before the conflict, Oleshky was home to 24,000 people.
Under the terms of the agreement, the pause in fighting is intended to allow for the clearing of landmines from primary access roads. Russia's defense ministry stated that units from its Dnepr group are currently conducting engineering reconnaissance to remove explosive devices. Aid deliveries are scheduled for as early as Thursday, followed by planned evacuations on Friday for residents who wish to leave the area.
The truce is set to remain in effect until 22:59 local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. While the agreement establishes a framework for safe passage, concrete outcomes for residents depend on the security of the evacuation routes. Russian-installed official Vladimir Saldo stated that accommodation has been prepared for evacuees in Russian-occupied Crimea and within Russia, including the Rostov and Krasnodar regions. However, President Zelensky warned that routes demined by Russia may result in civilians heading toward and staying in Russian territory rather than returning to Ukrainian-controlled areas.
The success of this local agreement could influence broader diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that if the ceasefire achieves its humanitarian goals, it may lead to further steps in a peace process. In the immediate term, residents must decide whether to provide their names and addresses to officials to participate in the Friday evacuation. As of Tuesday afternoon, a local volunteer reported that approximately 500 people had expressed interest in leaving.