Russia pauses attacks on Kherson town ahead of Trump-led aid mission

Russian forces stopped striking the town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the pause to facilitate a humanitarian operation into the occupied settlement. This action marks the start of a localized truce designed to support an aid effort led by US First Lady Melania Trump.

The agreement was announced on October 23 and involves additional participation from Pope Leo. Washington is using this mission to attempt a restart of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. These talks have stalled after more than four and a half years of continuous conflict.

Up to 2,000 people remain in Oleshky, according to the United Nations. Residents have been unable to exit the area due to explosive mines and drone attacks. The town, which had a pre-war population of 24,000, sits on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River opposite Ukrainian-held Kherson city. Russian troops have controlled the location since seizing it in February 2022.

Negotiators for the mission stated that doctors, medicines, food supplies, and water will be delivered to the town first. Evacuation corridors will open after these supplies are in place. Oleshky has suffered extensive damage from fighting and flooding following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023.

The ceasefire is scheduled to last through Saturday, with the possibility of extension. Deep mistrust between the two nations has previously complicated similar truce attempts. The pause aims to create a temporary safe window for logistics and civilian movement in the partially occupied Kherson region.