Putin provided instructions for Oleshky ceasefire, says Dmitriev

800 Civilians Evacuated from Oleshky During Six-Day Ceasefire

A six-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky resulted in the evacuation of nearly 800 civilians, according to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The cessation of hostilities, which concluded on Sunday at 21:00 GMT, stands as the longest local ceasefire since the start of the full-scale conflict in 2022, reported Nova.bg. Kirill Dmitriev, a special representative for the Russian president, stated that Vladimir Putin personally provided the instructions necessary to implement the pause. Speaking at a White House event attended by Yana Lantratova, Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmitriev credited the operation’s success to a combination of compassion, determination, and cooperation. Dmitriev expressed gratitude to the U.S. First Lady on behalf of Vladimir Putin and the people of the Russian Federation for her exceptional humanitarian role in resolving the situation in the town, noting that the Ukrainian side respected the ceasefire and that the mission demonstrated what can be achieved when compassion, determination, and cooperation are combined.

Ceasefire Allows Essential Supply Deliveries to Residents

The ceasefire facilitated the delivery of essential supplies, including food, medical equipment, hygiene products, and fuel for generators, to the residents of Oleshky. Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia confirmed via Telegram that the ceasefire was observed during the operation, a point corroborated by Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Residents were given the choice to remain in the town or depart, with authorities planning for their transport through Russian-controlled territory toward potential transit points in Belarus. According to reports from Fox News, evacuated individuals were to be taken first to Anapa, after which those wishing to reach Ukraine would travel by plane to Gomel in Belarus, while those choosing to remain would receive all necessary humanitarian assistance under the supervision of the Russian and Ukrainian ombudsmen.

Russian Forces Resume Attacks Across the Kherson Region

Despite the humanitarian focus, the period saw conflicting assessments of military conduct. Following the expiration of the ceasefire, the situation in the Kherson region escalated. Nova.bg reported that Russian forces resumed attacks on Monday, including a drone strike in the Korabelny district of Kherson that injured a 62-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man. Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin stated that in the 24-hour period leading up to Monday morning, Russian forces targeted 16 settlements across the Ukrainian-controlled portion of the Kherson region. Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine accused Russia of using the humanitarian truce in Oleshky to strengthen its military positions, carry out troop rotations, and expand anti-drone defenses along roads, even as Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson City Military Administration, reported a drone strike in the center of Ukrainian-controlled Kherson on the western bank of the Dnieper River.

Future Humanitarian Prospects for Oleshky

Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova indicated that agreements have been reached between Russia and the United States for monthly humanitarian aid shipments to Oleshky. Officials have emphasized that the town, which was heavily flooded following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, remains in critical need of support for its remaining 1,700 to 2,000 residents.

Military Activity Resumes After the Ceasefire Ends

What is the current status of the Oleshky ceasefire? The ceasefire officially ended on Sunday at 21:00 GMT. Following its expiration, military activity, including drone strikes, was reported in the Kherson region.

Who facilitated the humanitarian mission in Oleshky? How many people remain in Oleshky? While the town’s pre-war population was approximately 24,000, current estimates from DW.com put the remaining population at between 1,700 and 2,000.

Did You Know?

Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River and has been under Russian control since the initial days of the 2022 invasion. The area faced a severe humanitarian crisis following the 2023 Kakhovka Dam collapse, which destroyed much of the local infrastructure and restricted access to potable water.

More on this story: Kherson residents and officials voice skepticism over truce · Kherson faces renewed Russian attacks after ceasefire ends

More on Oleshky: Dmytro Lubinets outlines Oleshky humanitarian evacuation operations · Oleshky civilians return to Ukraine after humanitarian truce · Oleshky Evacuees Arrive in Belarus