Oleshky Truce Holds as Aid Prepares

Humanitarian aid vehicles are scheduled to enter the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky on Friday, marking the first major delivery under a localized ceasefire that has held for 54 hours. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed that military units are currently clearing landmines from the roads to create a safe passage for the convoy. He stated that both parties are fully adhering to the agreements, with no reported violations since the truce began on Tuesday.

The six-day pause in fighting around Oleshky has created a rare window of stillness for civilians in the nearby Ukrainian-held city of Kherson. Russian Ombudsman Yana Lantratova confirmed that Russian engineers are working to de-mine the routes. She noted that the lack of violations allows military personnel to prepare the path for the humanitarian convoy. The operation, which Lantratova described as five months in the making, is designed to deliver food and medical supplies to approximately 2,000 people trapped in Oleshky and to allow for local evacuations to either Ukraine or Russia.

Despite the local truce, the wider war continued to claim lives across Ukraine. A jet-powered Russian drone struck two passenger trains stopped at a station in Dnipro, killing at least 14 people and injuring 10 others, officials reported. In the northern city of Chernihiv, a Russian cruise missile killed two 15-year-old girls. Additionally, two civilians died when a Russian drone hit an apartment block in the central city of Kremenchuk.

The Ukrainian military has launched one of its largest drone attacks in recent memory. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its air defenses downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that around half of those drones were heading toward the Russian capital. This exchange occurred as both Moscow and Kyiv sought to improve relations with Washington ahead of potential three-way talks involving the United States next month.

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump played a key role in brokering the temporary ceasefire, according to the White House. Pope Leo XIV also pressed for the truce. The involvement of U.S. figures reflects the diplomatic efforts underway as President Donald Trump has recently indicated a shift in U.S. engagement. He waived sanctions on Russia and publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to travel to the United States for a G20 ministerial meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, starting Friday.

The truce has altered daily life in Kherson, where residents are venturing out of their homes more frequently. Nataliia Myronenko, a 42-year-old kiosk owner, reported a steady stream of customers since early Thursday. She noted that people are no longer racing down streets to avoid drone strikes. "It’s a breath of freedom, when you don’t look at the sky," she said. "You keep looking at your feet because of the mines, but you’re not afraid of dying. It’s so great."

While the local ceasefire provides relief, the diplomatic landscape remains complex. European leaders have been working to diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin following his invasion and what they describe as a campaign of sabotage across the continent. In Ukraine, the military faces challenges with communications, as the country reported sudden limits on Starshield, the military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This service is the backbone of Ukraine’s drone operations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the relationship with Musk, stating that Russia is building its own equivalent of Starlink and has been in contact with the American tech titan to coordinate orbital activities. "Elon Musk is a genius. Truly, a real genius," Putin said late Wednesday. He added that Russia and its American partners value the relationship and continue to work closely together despite political issues.