Russia halts Kherson strikes to allow 2,000 residents evacuation

Resident evacuations in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky will begin this week under a temporary ceasefire. Russia paused its military strikes on Kherson province at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday, October 27, to allow for the delivery of essential supplies and the departure of civilians. The localised agreement is expected to hold through Saturday, though it may extend further.

The mission, led by US First Lady Melania Trump, aims to bring doctors, medicines, food, and water into the town. Negotiators stated that these deliveries will occur before evacuation corridors open. This sequence ensures that assistance reaches the population before planned departures begin. The town is located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, directly opposite Kherson city, which remains under Ukrainian control.

According to the United Nations, approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky. These residents have been trapped by explosive mines and drone attacks in the surrounding area. They face acute shortages of basic necessities in a town that had a population of 24,000 before the war. Russian forces captured Oleshky in the opening days of their February 2022 invasion and have maintained control of the town continuously since.

The agreement was announced on October 23. It was brokered by Melania Trump with the involvement of Pope Leo. The pause serves as a mechanism for Washington to restart peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv after more than four and a half years of conflict. The localised nature of the ceasefire reflects the deep mistrust between the two nations, which has hindered previous attempts to establish wider truces.

Oleshky has suffered extensive damage during the war. The community was also heavily affected by flooding following the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023. These events compounded the infrastructure and housing damage accumulated during the military campaign. The current humanitarian operation focuses specifically on this frontline location in southern Kherson.

Preparations for the mission are ongoing. The primary objective is to deliver supplies to the stranded population and open safe routes for evacuation. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the timing of the strike pause to align with the arrival of the humanitarian team.