Ukraine, Russia Plan Oleshky Ceasefire For Aid Delivery

Residents of Oleshky, a town in Russian-held Kherson Oblast, may soon get food, medicine and a route out of the combat zone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 24 that an arrangement for the town should take effect soon, and that American mediation is central to making it happen. "Ukraine will do its part. We count on American mediation to work," he said in a video address.

Russian forces have mined roads in the occupied part of the Kherson region, Zelenskyy said. "The situation is dire, extremely dire," he said. He added that talks on Oleshky have continued for some time at various levels.

The general staffs of Ukraine and Russia announced on Friday evening that a ceasefire would take effect in a designated area beginning the night of October 27. The pause is meant to allow a humanitarian operation in Oleshky to proceed. Ukraine wants the operation to restore access to the town, bring in food and medicine, and let residents leave the combat zone.

The White House issued a statement saying US First Lady Melania Trump had secured a truce between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, describing a humanitarian disaster as unfolding there. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia agreed to a ceasefire so a humanitarian mission could proceed.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, said the humanitarian operation in Oleshky will take place on October 29, with a ceasefire in force.