Commissioner Lubinets describes life in Kherson during Oleshky ceasefire

"The ceasefire has had a tangible impact on the city itself," Lubinets said. “Kherson, which had been under constant shelling, has literally come back to life. There are more people on the streets, and urban life has picked up. People are going outside without fear, taking walks and enjoying the autumn sunshine.”

He noted that Kherson residents most often ask that the ceasefire continue.

A ceasefire regime has been in effect since 3 a.m. on Oct. 27 in temporarily occupied Oleshky as part of the humanitarian mission to deliver aid and evacuate civilians. The truce also extends beyond the settlement.

According to the ombudsman, as of noon on Oct. 28, the Ukrainian and Russian sides are fully complying with the agreements. The ceasefire will last until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Ceasefire in Oleshky

On Oct. 17, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said about 1,700 people remain in Oleshky, suffering from shortages of food and medicine and with no safe route for evacuation.

On Oct. 23, the White House said first lady Melania Trump had secured a local truce between Russia and Ukraine that provides for a temporary halt to fighting in the town of Oleshky.

In an interview with TSN published on Oct. 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Russia "will do everything to clear mines [on the roads in Oleshky — ed.] in such a way that these people [residents] go toward Russia and stay there." He said he believed the Russians would not agree to "unconditionally just let people go." At the same time, Zelenskyy said some people would be evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory in any case.

Overnight into Oct. 27, Lubinets said a ceasefire regime took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time in temporarily occupied Oleshky and in other designated areas linked to the humanitarian mission.

On the morning of Oct. 27, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said the humanitarian mission to rescue people in Oleshky had begun.

Melania Trump said that the geographic ceasefire zone had been expanded beyond Oleshky to ensure safe passage for humanitarian convoys.