The ceasefire in the Russian-held town of Oleshky expired Sunday, prompting the evacuation of 167 civilians from the Kherson region. The six-day pause in hostilities, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump and supported by Pope Leo, allowed a humanitarian mission to extract residents from the embattled city.
Ukrainian forces began evacuating civilians from threatened areas as the ceasefire neared its end. The agreement, reached through mediation efforts, was intended to reduce civilian casualties and provide temporary relief. However, neither side announced an extension, and the truce is set to expire at midnight Moscow time.
This was the longest ceasefire of the Ukraine war, marking a rare moment of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow. The agreement came as the conflict enters its fifth year, with both sides struggling to make progress in peace talks. Despite the ceasefire, Russian strikes continued, cutting power to thousands in Ukraine.
The Oleshky truce was part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Pope Leo expressed hope that the cooperation seen in Oleshky could inspire broader peace initiatives. However, the expiration of the ceasefire has raised fears of renewed attacks, as both sides prepare for the resumption of hostilities.
The situation highlights the fragile nature of peace efforts in the war-torn region. With no immediate resolution in sight, the focus remains on protecting civilians and preventing further escalation.
