U.S. first lady Melania Trump said nearly 800 people were evacuated during a six-day ceasefire around Russian-held Oleshky in southern Ukraine, while Ukraine’s military accused Russian forces of strengthening positions.
Ukraine’s General Staff said Monday it observed Russian unit rotations, ammunition deliveries and work on fortifications. It also reported expanded anti-drone measures along roads. The military said Ukrainian troops complied with the ceasefire.
The pause ran from Oct. 27 through Nov. 1. The White House said it was intended to enable aid deliveries and civilian departures. Some residents set out on a planned route through Russia and Belarus toward Ukrainian-held territory.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said Sunday that both sides had met their commitments during the pause. Reuters described it as the longest local halt in fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukraine’s 34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” urged residents of the Kherson region to heed air raid alerts and said it expected fighting to intensify. On Monday, Kherson City Military Administration head Yaroslav Shanko reported a drone strike in central Kherson, across the Dnipro River from Oleshky. No casualties were reported.
