The ceasefire requested by Melania Trump, the First Lady of the U.S., to evacuate approximately 2,500 residents still remaining in the city of Oleshky has been respected by both Ukraine and Russia since the 27th at 3:00 AM until today, as confirmed by both Ukraine's Ombudsman, Dimitro Lubinets, and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova.
Since then, both sides have begun demining around the city besieged by Moscow (on the occupied side of the Dnipro River) to allow for the evacuation of these individuals. Several sources from Ukraine report that Ukrainian, Russian, American representatives, and some journalists will attend this main evacuation tomorrow, Friday.
Throughout yesterday, after confirming the cessation of hostilities, thousands of people approached neighboring Kherson, on the Ukrainian-controlled bank, to try to recover what they could from their homes that had not yet been destroyed. As a result, a number of residents were seen on the streets who had not been visible since 2022. Although the sound of drones accompanied their path, these were mainly reconnaissance or spy drones from both sides, not attack drones, making it relatively safe to move around for a few hours, aside from the mines placed throughout the city.
According to authorities, the population trapped in the city's basements will be allowed to board buses heading to Anapa, in the Ukrainian-controlled area, or Sevastopol, in the Crimea occupied by Moscow. Kiev officials fear that the Russians will ultimately force all residents of Oleshky to travel to occupied Ukraine, although this suspicion will not be resolved until tomorrow.
There have also been widespread reports of Russia transferring ammunition and heavy equipment to war zones, as well as rotating its troops taking advantage of the ceasefire, although truces are also used for this purpose, and it would be strange if Ukraine were not doing the same.
The city of Oleshky has been isolated for years from the Ukrainian side, as the Antonivsky Bridge was blown up by the Russians during their retreat, and from the occupiers' side, who mined the access points and left this city in a gray zone. When some of its inhabitants have tried to escape, they have died due to mines or been hit by kamikaze drones piloted by Russian soldiers. In this situation, the population has been suffering from hunger and shortages. Many have been buried in their own gardens in a city where survivors are barely living in the basements.