Russia-Ukraine truce to allow aid and evacuations in Olechky
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary truce in Olechky, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russian forces, from 29 October. The pause in fighting is intended to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians through a secure passage, according to a White House statement.
A local ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is due to take effect on 29 October in Olechky, a city in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces, to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered and civilians to be evacuated. The White House announced on Friday that an agreement had been secured by US First Lady Melania Trump, according to Reuters.
The ceasefire is intended to allow Russian and Ukrainian non-military teams to visit residents and coordinate the transport of people wishing to travel to Russia or Ukraine. A US media outlet, Newsmax, according to Reuters, is to accompany the teams to document the operation.
Olechky, located on the opposite bank of the Dnipro from Kherson, has between 1,700 and 2,000 residents, mainly elderly people, as well as around 50 children. Its population was about 24,000 before the war, and nearly 90% of the city was flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, according to the White House.
Melania Trump described a situation “on the brink of catastrophe”, with urgent needs for medical care, medicines, food and drinking water. The announcement comes after Melania Trump secured a humanitarian ceasefire in Olechky on 23 October.
