1,700 Civilians Remain in Oleshky as Cease-Fire Enters Third Day

A localized truce around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky entered its third day on October 29, with estimates placing the remaining civilian population between 1,700 and 2,000 people. The pause in fighting, which took effect on October 27, is scheduled to run until November 1.

Ukrainian and US officials told RFE/RL that no violations were recorded during the first two days of the agreement. The truce was brokered with the involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump, who stated that both sides have begun demining efforts to establish safe corridors for aid delivery. She also noted that four journalists from Newsmax would travel to the city to document the operation.

Despite the reported calm, tensions persist over the fate of the residents. The bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Mike Quigley, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Joe Wilson, welcomed the truce on October 28. However, the lawmakers expressed concern that Russian authorities are preventing civilians from leaving for Ukrainian-controlled territory. "Forcibly transferring or deporting civilians from occupied territory is a war crime," the caucus stated.

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since 2022 and lies across the Dnieper River from Kherson. The US-based organization Razom for Ukraine reports that many of the remaining civilians are elderly or disabled. Regular road deliveries of food ceased in May 2026, leaving residents without reliable access to drinking water, electricity, gas, heating, or medicine.

Advocates argue that the current arrangement lacks sufficient oversight. Daniel Balson, director of advocacy for Razom, said there is no provision for credible third-party monitors from the International Committee of the Red Cross or the United Nations to oversee the evacuation. He warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use the humanitarian operation to forcibly deport nearly 2,000 civilians to Russian-controlled areas, where they might face interrogation or detention.

Yuriy Boyechko, chief executive of Hope for Ukraine, alleged that Russian troops are moving heavy armor and artillery toward the riverbanks. He suggested this buildup could signal preparations for a new offensive aimed at retaking Kherson. Boyechko also claimed that Russian forces are steering civilians toward Crimea or Russia rather than allowing them to cross into Ukrainian land.

Diplomatic activity continues alongside the local truce. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is leading a delegation to a G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta on October 30 and 31, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also be present. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that preparations are continuing for a planned trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi.