Russia halts Kherson strikes for Melania Trump-led aid mission to Oleshky

Russia stopped striking Ukraine's Kherson province on Tuesday as a local ceasefire took effect.

The pause began at 01:00 GMT on October 27. It is set to last through Saturday, though officials say it could extend further. This halt paves the way for a humanitarian mission into Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

The operation, led by US First Lady Melania Trump, aims to deliver food, medicine, and water while facilitating evacuations. Pope Leo was also involved in brokering the agreement, which was announced on October 23. Washington is using this mission to restart peace talks after more than four and a half years of war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Negotiators outlined a specific sequence for the aid delivery. Doctors and essential supplies will enter Oleshky first. Once those resources are in place, evacuation corridors will open for residents to leave. This order ensures assistance reaches the town before planned departures begin.

The United Nations estimates that up to 2,000 people remain in Oleshky. They are unable to leave due to explosive mines and drone attacks in the surrounding area. The town, which had a pre-war population of 24,000, faces severe shortages of basic necessities.

Oleshky has been under Russian control since the opening days of the February 2022 invasion. The community suffered extensive damage during the conflict and was further affected by flooding following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023. Across the river, Kherson city remains under Ukrainian control.

Previous ceasefire efforts between Russia and Ukraine have failed due to deep mistrust. This new agreement is a temporary pause tied specifically to the humanitarian mission. It allows for the delivery of supplies and the opening of routes for evacuation while broader diplomatic efforts continue.