Oleshky to see 72-hour pause in fighting starting Oct 27

A ceasefire will take hold in Oleshky, a town in Kherson Oblast under Russian control, beginning the night of October 27. The pause in fighting is designed to open a corridor for humanitarian aid and to allow civilians to leave the combat zone.

Ukrainian and Russian military staffs confirmed the arrangement on Friday evening. The truce will remain in force until October 29. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the humanitarian operation is scheduled to take place on that final day.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address that he expects the agreement to be implemented soon. He noted that Russian forces have planted mines along roads in the occupied part of the region. Zelenskyy described the conditions in the town as dire and extremely dire. He said Ukraine will do its part and that the country counts on American mediation to make the process work.

The White House said First Lady Melania Trump secured the truce. The statement described the current conditions in Oleshky as a humanitarian disaster. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia agreed to the ceasefire so the mission could proceed.

Zelenskyy said talks on this issue have continued for some time at various levels. The goal of the operation is to restore access to the town, deliver food and medicine, and let residents exit the area.