Kiev, Oct 27. (dpa/GNA) – Russian and Ukrainian forces, on Tuesday began to implement a temporary ceasefire, to allow a humanitarian operation in the frontline town of Oleshky in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Kherson region.
Russia confirmed overnight that a ceasefire had been in place around the town since 3 am (0100 GMT). It will remain in effect until 10:59 pm on November 1, according to Moscow.
Food and medicine are to be delivered to residents in need during the multi-day ceasefire. A humanitarian corridor is also to be established to allow people to leave the area either towards Russia or Ukraine.
Ukraine’s General Staff in Kiev, has also confirmed the arrangement. No violations were reported by Tuesday afternoon.
Oleshky has been completely mined, forcing Ukrainian forces to use drones at times to deliver aid to the town. Many of the unmanned aircraft were shot down by Russian troops.
Under the agreement, mines are now to be cleared to establish a safe humanitarian corridor. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people, including dozens of children, remain in Oleshky. The evacuation is not expected to begin until the coming days.
The humanitarian ceasefire was initiated by the White House, according to Washington.
US President Donald Trump’s administration said, First Lady Melania Trump, had helped broker the local truce between Moscow and Kiev.
The Kremlin said a potentially successful humanitarian operation in Oleshky could serve as a model for other parts of the frontline.
Moscow and Kiev have repeatedly accused each other in recent months of causing a humanitarian catastrophe, by shelling the town.
Up to 6,000 people, including those in surrounding villages, are believed to be suffering hardship.
Ukraine’s General Staff stressed that the temporary ceasefire applied exclusively to the humanitarian operation. It urged people to exercise particular caution with information they received and shared during the period.
Fighting continued along other parts of the frontline. “Do not trust unverified reports or spread rumours about the routes, times and locations where people and humanitarian convoys are moving,” the General Staff said in a statement on Telegram.
GNA