Fighting paused in Ukrainian city under deal announced by Melania Trump

A ceasefire brokered with the assistance of Melania Trump has come into effect in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The truce, which began on Tuesday at 3am, local time, aims to establish a humanitarian corridor for the city's residents. According to the Russian defence ministry, shelling in the direction of the city of Kherson, which faces Oleshky across the Dnipro River, has been halted. Ukrainian negotiator and parliamentary human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said on social media that his country is "honouring its commitments" under the deal. The city, on the southern bank of the Dnipro River, was seized by Russian troops in 2022. The population of Oleshky has dropped from about 24,000 before the Russian invasion in 2022 to about 2,000 today, including as many as 50 children, according to Ukrainian and US estimates.

The city was heavily damaged by the 2023 destruction of the Kakhovka dam, which unleashed major flooding along the Dnipro River. The ceasefire comes as the Ukraine war grinds through its fifth year and ahead of the resumption of peace talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv next month. US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to resume next month. The deal was reached with the help of the US first lady and the cooperation of Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova.

The city of Oleshky has been a focal point for humanitarian concerns, with residents demanding help for those still living in the city. Kyiv residents have been calling for assistance for the people of Oleshky, and the ceasefire is seen as a step towards addressing these concerns. The establishment of a humanitarian corridor will allow for the safe passage of residents who wish to leave the city.

The ceasefire is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It marks a rare instance of cooperation between the two sides, with both Russia and Ukraine agreeing to observe the truce. The deal is seen as a positive step towards finding a resolution to the conflict, and it remains to be seen whether it will lead to further progress in the peace talks.

The city of Oleshky has been severely impacted by the conflict, with the population dropping significantly since the Russian invasion in 2022. The city's residents have been struggling to survive, with some resorting to hunting pigeons or subsisting on whatever they had in their garden. The ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for the residents of Oleshky, and it is hoped that it will lead to a more stable and secure environment for the city's residents.