The White House announced on Monday that First Lady Melania Trump brokered a four‑day truce in Oleshky, a city that has been under Russian control since February 2022.
Oleshky, once home to about 24,000 civilians, now hosts roughly 1,700 residents who have survived on weeds and rationed water since the war snuffed out all utilities.
The ceasefire, set to expire at 23:59 on Nov 1, opens a corridor for UN‑backed aid convoys and a planned mass evacuation slated for Friday.
Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia warned that cleared routes could funnel civilians toward Russian‑held territory, while Russian Defence Minister said Dnepr units had cleared major roads of mines.
A resident who survived a mine blast described the fear of being denied return if they leave, citing the risk of phone checks and possible detention by Russian forces.
As the truce nears its end, international observers will monitor whether the evacuation proceeds without renewed hostilities, with the UN expected to deploy a monitoring team.