Mykolaiv: A localised ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early on Tuesday in Oleshky ahead of a humanitarian mission led by US first lady Melania Trump.
The pause in fighting started at 3 am in Ukraine to allow an aid mission into the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine later this week.
According to her office, Melania Trump led talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine after meeting with United Nations officials who briefed her on the situation in the town.
The aid mission is planned ahead of a new round of US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine expected next month and aimed at ending the war after more than four-and-a-half years of fighting.
Up to 2,000 people are stranded in Oleshky with dwindling supplies of food and medicine. They have been unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area, according to the UN.
Kherson residents welcome rare calm after Oleshky ceasefire takes hold
Residents in the nearby Ukrainian city of Kherson said on Tuesday that it felt noticeably quieter as a local ceasefire around the Russian-held town of Oleshky came into effect across the Dnipro River.
One resident, 37-year-old Oleksandra, said the city had experienced calm periods before, though she noted an absence of the drones that regularly threaten the area.\
Others, like 90-year-old Hennadii, said the reduction in shelling and aerial activity was evident.
The city has faced frequent Russian attacks since Ukrainian forces retook it in November 2022.
The ceasefire is intended to allow humanitarian aid into Russian-held Oleshky, located a few kilometres to the east of Kherson.
(With inputs from AP via PTI & Reuters)
