Ukraine’s military has cast doubt on Russia’s intentions during a brief ceasefire in southern Ukraine, brokered by first lady Melania Trump. Accusations emerged that Russia used this pause to reinforce its positions and deliver more ammunition around the war-torn city of Oleshky. This occurred despite both Moscow and Kyiv acknowledging the success of the six-day truce.
The ceasefire, starting Tuesday and concluding late Sunday, aimed to provide essential aid and evacuate approximately 2,000 residents, including around 50 children, from Oleshky. This settlement in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region fell under Russian control. International aid groups had raised alarms about the dire situation in Oleshky, where the population had dwindled to one-twelfth its pre-war size. Residents struggled to access food, medicine, clean water, and basic hygiene supplies. Some resorted to consuming weeds and grass to survive.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine reported ceasefire violations, with the first lady describing operations as a “success,” as roughly 800 individuals were evacuated.
Yana Lantratova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, mentioned that roads were cleared of mines for aid convoy entry into Oleshky. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, expressed his collaboration with Lantratova on exploring further humanitarian initiatives.
Ukraine’s military, however, accused Russia of utilizing the humanitarian pause to rotate fresh troops, strengthen military positions, and enhance anti-drone defenses around Oleshky post-ceasefire. Kyiv reported further ammunition deliveries by Russian forces but provided no additional specifics.
Newsweek attempted to verify this information and sought comments from the Russian Defense Ministry.
Both countries blamed each other for Oleshky’s humanitarian crisis. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of rejecting ceasefire and corridor proposals for civilian evacuation and of destroying aid drones. An official claimed Russian theft of aid packages that reached Oleshky. On the other hand, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking and blockading the city.
International humanitarian law mandates the occupying power to supply essential services to civilians in controlled areas. Following Russia’s February 2022 invasion, Oleshky remained under its control, situated across the Dnipro River from Kherson, the regional capital reclaimed by Ukraine later that year. Russia has also attempted to annex Kherson and three other Ukrainian regions, though it lacks full control.
Aerial images revealed Oleshky’s anti-drone nets spanning streets, with ruined homes alongside debris piles. Lubinets noted evacuees ranged from 94 years old to a little over one year old.
The evacuees faced a long journey from Oleshky to Crimea—under Russian control since the 2014 annexation—before reaching Anapa, Russia, flying to Belarus, and returning to northern Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed concerns that evacuated Ukrainians may be prevented from returning home once relocated to Russian territory.
Vladimir Saldo, a Russian-installed official in southern Ukraine, stated that assistance is available for those wishing to remain in Russia. Marc Beckman, senior adviser to Melania Trump, assured Ukrinform news agency that Russia pledged Oleshky residents could select their destination post-evacuation.
Some reports suggest several hundred individuals opted to stay in Oleshky, with Russian state media indicating an unspecified number chose to remain in Russia.
Melania Trump commented, “On behalf of America, I commend Russia and Ukraine for their leadership and cooperation during the Oleshky ceasefire. I hope this serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations.”
Upcoming peace talks involving the three nations on resolving the prolonged Ukraine conflict are anticipated in Abu Dhabi later this month. President Donald Trump has reinitiated negotiations following a pause due to the U.S.’s military action in Iran.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Emma Lee-Sang
Leave a Reply