Oleshky Ceasefire Begins as Aid Teams Prepare to Enter

A ceasefire took effect at 04:00 Moscow time on Monday, opening a humanitarian window in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Russia’s defense ministry announced on Telegram that it had halted fire toward the Ukrainian city of Kherson, located across the Dnipro River, to facilitate the operation.

Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets confirmed the truce began on social media. As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, he stated that the Ukrainian side is honoring its commitments. The agreement was announced last week by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who said civilian leaders from both countries would visit residents to assess their needs.

Oleshky sits on the south bank of the Dnipro, which serves as the front line in the Kherson region. The city was captured by Russian forces in the first days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Residents have been trapped between Ukrainian positions across the river and Russian troops to the east, leading to severe shortages of food and essential supplies.

Before the war, Oleshky was home to 24,000 people. Ukrainian officials now estimate that approximately 6,000 residents remain in the city and surrounding areas. This group includes 200 children who have been waiting for consistent aid delivery.

Melania Trump has taken an active role in addressing humanitarian issues related to the conflict. In August 2025, she sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to protect children and future generations worldwide. The White House stated last week that she secured the current ceasefire to enable these aid operations.