Plus grande désescalade depuis 2022,
declared David Arakhamia, a Ukrainian lawmaker who participated in peace negotiations with Russia in 2022, describing a localized truce taking hold in the southern Kherson region. At 17:30 local time (15:30 GMT), Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reported via Facebook that both parties were respecting the ceasefire, which was scheduled to remain in effect until 22:59 Sunday.
The temporary halt in fighting offers a narrow window for civilians stranded in Olechky, a Dnipro River city where the population has plummeted from roughly 24,000 before the 2023 dam explosion to about 2,000 today. Vladimir Saldo, a Moscow-installed official in the region, told Russian media that residents wishing to evacuate could travel toward Russian-occupied Crimea or Rostov-on-Don in southwest Russia, though they would have to wait for heavily mined access roads to be cleared. Olga, a former resident, told Agence France-Presse on Tuesday that the evacuation possibility is very good news for those trapped, adding that her friends are ready to leave.
Washington arranged for U.S. First Lady Melania Trump to announce the Olechky truce on Friday, as Russia rejected a broader, generalized ceasefire. Under the initiative, civilian officials from both nations are slated to visit residents to assess aid needs and coordinate destinations. The arrangement coincides with a diplomatic thaw between Donald Trump and Moscow, highlighted by an agreement to deliver Russian diesel to the United States despite existing sanctions, to the dismay of Kyiv and European allies. Meanwhile, conservative U.S. cable channel Newsmax secured exclusive television access on the Russian side to accompany observers entering the town on Thursday.
Air Strikes and Casualties Continue Across Kyiv and Regional Fronts
Outside the localized Kherson truce, Russian aerial bombardments persisted across Ukraine. In Kyiv, which remains under near-constant air alert, multiple ballistic missile waves launched since Monday evening killed one person and injured approximately 15 others, according to local authorities. Vitali Klitschko reported that the capital’s South Bridge sustained significant damage, forcing its closure alongside several affected metro stations. Footage broadcast by local media revealed a gaping hole in the bridge, a vital transport link spanning the Dnipro River.
Cross-border and occupation-zone violence also claimed lives elsewhere. In western Russia, the regional governor stated that two people died due to falling explosive objects in the city of Bryansk. In the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, local governor Leonid Passetchnik reported that Ukrainian attacks resulted in four deaths.
Nordic Leaders Press Vladimir Putin in Surprise Talks
Peace talks managed by Washington are scheduled to resume in November, following a de facto freeze prompted by joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February. In a diplomatic surprise on Tuesday, Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre held talks with Vladimir Putin to explore ways to end the conflict. The two Nordic leaders characterized the discussion as frank and substantial, marking the first contact between Putin and European leaders supporting Kyiv in over a year.
Oslo acknowledged that major divergences in views remain. According to a Kremlin statement, Vladimir Putin accused the European Union and NATO of pursuing a confrontation policy that prolongs the combat. Vladimir Putin maintained that a just and durable peace requires full consideration of Moscow’s interests, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire Donetsk region. The Kremlin noted that the three leaders agreed to continue direct telephone contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Olechky Truce
Who brokered the localized ceasefire in Olechky?
The United States secured the limited truce, with the announcement delivered publicly by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Friday after Russia rejected a nationwide ceasefire.
How many residents remain in Olechky?
The local population has dropped from approximately 24,000 residents prior to the 2023 dam disaster to roughly 2,000 people living under severe isolation today.
Where can evacuating residents go from Olechky?
Evacuated residents may travel toward Russian-occupied Crimea or Rostov-on-Don in southwest Russia, pending the clearance of heavily mined surrounding roads by authorities.
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