A local ceasefire in a southern Ukrainian city under Russian occupation appeared to be holding on Tuesday, with both sides ceasing drone attacks, ahead of an apparent evacuation of about 2,000 trapped and desperate civilians. The temporary truce began at 3am in Russian-controlled Oleshky. The city sits on the Dnipro River and is about 3 miles from Kherson, a larger city on the opposite bank.
Ukrainian troops recaptured Kherson in autumn 2022. Witnesses reported that the deadly frontline across the river was quiet for the first time in four years. The pause in fighting is due to last until 11pm on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said, and represents a significant if limited moment of de-escalation.
Finland’s president, Alexander Stubb, and Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, held what they described as a “frank and substantive” phone call with Vladimir Putin about efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Støre indicated afterwards that big differences remained. The two Nordic leaders said the call – a rare instance of direct contact between Putin and western leaders – was linked to upcoming talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US, expected to take place in Abu Dhabi next month.
The ceasefire in Oleshky appears to be an attempt by the Kremlin to curry favour with Donald Trump ahead of the trilateral meeting and next week’s US midterm elections. The first lady, Melania Trump, requested the humanitarian mission, the White House has said, and an evacuation is due to begin on Thursday or Friday. Calls for a ceasefire had also been issued by Pope Leo XIV, the United Nations, EU officials and the Council of Europe.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people in the city have been living under a complete blockade by Russia. The last delivery of food to stores was in May, and many people are now starving and eating weeds. The Ukrainian military has airdropped food using drones.
Locals say Russian security forces detain anyone who takes it. Russian soldiers have mined roads and use ruined buildings to coordinate round-the-clock strikes against Kherson. Some Oleshky residents have managed to escape, walking or cycling past bodies lying on the street and the burnt-out shells of numerous vehicles.
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