Oleshky ceasefire begins October 27 to allow evacuation of 2,000 civilians

Russia and Ukraine will halt all military operations in Oleshky on October 27, according to a White House announcement on Friday. The pause in fighting is designed to deliver humanitarian aid and prepare for the evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents remaining in the southern Ukrainian city. Officials state that the ceasefire will allow for coordinated support and transportation for civilians who wish to leave.

The arrangement was brokered by first lady Melania Trump, whose representative worked directly with leaders from both nations to finalize the terms. Trump said residents would have the choice of moving to either Russia or Ukraine. "Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination," she stated. "I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine."

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since February 2022, and conditions there have deteriorated sharply. Residents report severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. Some inhabitants are reportedly surviving on boiled grass, weeds, and small rations. Ukrainian authorities spent weeks attempting to arrange a pause, sometimes using drones to airdrop emergency supplies when ground access was blocked.

Efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor gained momentum in mid-October. On October 18, Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets indicated that an agreement was near. Other international figures, including Pope Leo XIV, the United Nations, and EU officials, had also urged a ceasefire. Lubinets told Reuters on Friday that the mission will include demining roads, delivering food, and evacuating civilians. "A sufficient quantity of humanitarian aid will be delivered to meet the needs of everyone who requires it," he said.

The agreement comes amid rising tensions over communications infrastructure. Ukrainian forces reported that Starlink satellite speeds remained capped at approximately 100 miles per hour on Friday, despite claims by President Donald Trump that restrictions had been lifted. The slowdown began after Trump and Elon Musk criticized Zelenskyy over strikes on Russian oil refineries. Serhii Beskrestnov, a military expert advising Zelenskyy, said no lifting of restrictions had been observed, noting that the cap hampers high-speed drone operations.

Diplomatic talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are scheduled to resume in Abu Dhabi in November. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the timeline for these trilateral discussions. Russia launched another overnight barrage on Ukraine on Friday, even as the sides prepared for the Oleshky truce. Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak announced that three tankers were heading to the United States, with Russian companies set to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of diesel in October.