Russia and Ukraine have begun a localised ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine to allow a humanitarian operation to proceed, both sides confirmed on Tuesday. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had halted shelling towards the Ukrainian city of Kherson from 4am Moscow time (0100 GMT) to prepare for the operation in Oleshky, which lies across the Dnipro River from Kherson. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights, confirmed on Facebook that the ceasefire had started at the same time. “As head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, I confirm that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments,” Lubinets wrote. The temporary arrangement is intended to facilitate aid deliveries and allow evacuations from Oleshky, where residents face severe shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine. Oleshky is located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, opposite the city of Kherson, which remains under Ukrainian control. Russian forces captured Oleshky during the opening days of their full-scale invasion in February 2022 and have controlled the town since then. The White House said last week that US First Lady Melania Trump had helped secure the localised ceasefire, highlighting diplomatic efforts to facilitate the humanitarian operation. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian attacks continued. A missile strike on Kyiv on Monday killed at least one person and injured 10 others, including students at a dormitory, according to reports. Attacks also caused deaths and injuries in the cities of Kharkiv and Pavlohrad. Further explosions were heard in Kyiv on Tuesday morning, a Reuters witness reported, underscoring the continued security risks despite the limited ceasefire agreement in the south. Post navigation Marine Le Pen: French far-right leader launches presidential campaign with pledge to restore order
