Russian troops must cease fire in the Kherson direction from October 27 to conduct a humanitarian operation in the occupied city of Oleshky. The date announced by Moscow differs from the previously agreed date for the start of the local truce — October 29.
This was stated on October 23 by Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.
According to Gerasimov, Russian troops must cease fire from the morning of October 27 and observe silence in the Kherson direction.
The Russian military department stated that the decision was made in connection with the preparation of a humanitarian operation in Oleshky.
The Russian side also promises to organise measures to ensure the safety of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the city. In particular, it involves checking the area for explosive ordnance and ensuring the safe movement of the humanitarian convoy.
The Russian Defence Ministry did not specify how long the announced silence will last and whether it applies to the entire Kherson sector of the front or only to areas related to the humanitarian mission.
Earlier, the White House announced that a localised ceasefire in Oleshky will begin on October 29. According to the US administration statement, Ukraine and Russia agreed to temporarily cease hostilities to deliver drinking water, food, and medicine, as well as to organise the evacuation of civilians.
The first lady of the United States, Melania Trump, acted as a mediator in reaching the agreement, interacting with Ukrainian and Russian leadership.
Later, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets confirmed that the humanitarian operation and ceasefire are scheduled for October 29.
Thus, the Russian side now names an earlier date for the start of the silence. It is not yet known whether this is related to preparatory measures before the main humanitarian operation or whether it indicates a change in the initial agreements. There is no official explanation of this discrepancy from Ukraine and the United States yet.
The press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov earlier said that the evacuation of residents of Oleshky may take several days. According to him, all those who wish will be able to leave the city.
According to White House estimates, between 1,700 and 2,000 residents, mostly elderly people, remain in occupied Oleshky. Among them are about 50 children. The population is experiencing an acute shortage of food, medicine, and drinking water.
The actual observance of the ceasefire announced by the Russian side cannot yet be confirmed, as its start is scheduled for October 27.
