Ceasefire begins in Oleshky; Melania Trump said to have arranged pause to allow aid

A limited ceasefire began in the occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky in the Kherson region, where remaining residents are trapped without food, water and electricity.

Ceasefire intended to allow aid deliveries and evacuations

Both Ukrainian authorities and the Russian Ministry of Defense say the limited truce is being observed. The White House said the pause was arranged by First Lady Melania Trump and is intended to allow humanitarian supplies to reach the city and for civilians to be evacuated on Friday.

Oleshky sits on the Dnieper River, which separates Ukrainian positions from Russian-held territory. The crossing and roads around the city have been repeatedly described as extremely dangerous.

Residents have reported extreme hunger and, in some cases, say they were forced to eat grass and weeds to survive, telling the BBC they are suffering from severe deprivation.

Before the February 2022 invasion Oleshky had a population of 24,000. Ukrainian officials estimate roughly 6,000 people, including 200 children, remain in the city and surrounding areas.

Ukrainian efforts to deliver supplies in recent months failed amid the risks posed by mined roads and active fighting. The agreed pause aims to allow aid convoys to reach Oleshky and for routes to be cleared of mines to permit safe civilian movement, though many details of the evacuation plans remain unclear. Last month the Kremlin acknowledged the city faced a critical situation and blamed Kyiv. The Russian Ministry of Defense said its forces stopped firing after midnight last night to prepare for the humanitarian operation.

Photo: Fejsbuk)