Oleshky ceasefire holds for third day as aid mission set to enter city

A localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky has held into a third day, and a Ukrainian official said a humanitarian aid mission is set to enter the city on Friday, according to The Independent and France 24.

The pause in fighting began at 3am on Tuesday. It is planned to last six days and is meant to let food, medicine and water reach about 2,000 people trapped in Oleshky, where reports say many are starving. Evacuation corridors are to be opened later in the week.

Dmytro Lubinets said: "The ceasefire has been in place for 54 hours now." Yana Lantratova said: "Both sides are fully honoring their commitments, and no violations have been recorded."

Military units are clearing landmines while the truce holds, and Russian engineers are working on de-mining roads in Oleshky. Officials said local people will be able to leave for either Russia or Ukraine, though how this will work is unclear.

The ceasefire has also brought rare quiet to Kherson, the Ukrainian-held city across the water. The White House said Melania Trump helped broker the arrangement, and Pope Leo XIV also pressed for a truce.

The truce is limited to the Oleshky area, and the wider war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion more than 4.5 years ago, continues. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight, and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around half were heading to Moscow. Ukraine said Russia fired 112 drones at seven locations across the country.

The reports say Moscow and Kyiv are seeking favor with Washington ahead of possible three-way talks next month between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for a G20 ministerial meeting starting Friday, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.