Pendant cette période, les parties ont respecté leurs engagements. Cela a rendu possible de livrer une aide humanitaire à Olechky et d’aider les civils qui voulaient quitter la ville en toute sécurité,
declared Dmytro Loubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman. The humanitarian truce in the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Olechky officially expired at 20:59 GMT on Sunday, ending a brief respite along the heavily mined Kherson front lines that enabled evacuations and aid deliveries amid ongoing conflict.
Humanitarian Relief and Evacuations Under the Truce
The ceasefire began on Tuesday morning and marked the longest formal pause in fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow reported any violations of the agreement during the active window, distinguishing it from previous partial ceasefires such as those attempted during Orthodox Easter.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that the temporary halt allowed human rights ombudsman Dmytro Loubinets to coordinate safe departures alongside his Russian counterpart, Iana Lantratova. Beyond Olechky, the Ukrainian military utilized the quiet window to evacuate an additional 167 civilians, including 22 children, from other combat-ravaged areas across the Kherson region. In neighboring Kherson city, located across the Dnipro River, residents used the brief pause to secure vital supplies and prepare properties for the winter months.
Diplomatic Reactions and Refusal of Extension
Léon XIV expressed support for the Olechky humanitarian truce, stating his hope that the cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow would strengthen the desire for dialogue and lead to concrete peace initiatives. However, efforts by Ukrainian representatives to extend the ceasefire met with resistance. A senior official in the Ukrainian presidency told AFP that Russia refused a formal proposal to prolong the pause, stating flatly, Les Russes ne veulent pas.
While diplomatic mediation led by Washington remains largely stalled, a planned trilateral meeting involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled for November.
Immediate Resumption of Military Hostilities
Local authorities and military observers expressed no illusions regarding the permanence of the calm. A local military officer speaking anonymously warned that the renewed fighting va être l’enfer, encore pire qu’avant.
According to military intelligence, Russian forces positioned on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River used the ceasefire days to amass fresh troops, replenish ammunition supplies, and survey Ukrainian positions using reconnaissance drones.
Oleksandre Prokoudine, head of the Kherson regional military administration, urged residents to remain vigilant against incoming attacks as the truce expired. One hour before the deadline, the Russian Ministry of Defence published a statement on Telegram declaring, On ne ménage pas les munitions, ni l’ennemi. La nuit sera chaude, on est au travail.
Ongoing Strikes Across Other Regions
Even as the localized truce held in Olechky, military operations continued unabated across the rest of the country. Russian airstrikes on Sunday resulted in three deaths, including a 13-year-old girl, across the central Vinnytsia and northern Sumy regions. Volodymyr Zelensky reported extensive overnight drone and missile attacks targeting national energy infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without power, particularly in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv regions.
In parallel, Ukrainian forces sustained long-range counter-attacks against Russian logistics and energy assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific dates did the Olechky ceasefire cover?
The humanitarian truce began on Tuesday morning and concluded on Sunday at 20:59 GMT.
How many civilians were evacuated outside of Olechky during the pause?
The Ukrainian armed forces utilized the window to evacuate 167 additional civilians, including 22 children, from heavily contested zones in the wider Kherson region.
Who mediated the humanitarian arrangements between the opposing sides?
Dmytro Loubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, worked directly alongside his Russian counterpart, Iana Lantratova, to coordinate the safe passages and aid deliveries.
What infrastructure targets suffered damage during the weekend strikes?
Des frappes russes ont endommagé les installations énergétiques du pays et provoqué des pannes de courant affectant particulièrement les régions de Dnipropetrovsk et Kiev, tandis que l’Ukraine continue de viser la Russie et ses infrastructures pétrolières.
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