Melania Trump brokers ceasefire for Oleshky evacuation

The war in Ukraine has paused in one small city for a rare humanitarian mission.

A ceasefire took effect in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in southern Ukraine, on Tuesday.

First Lady Melania Trump brokered the truce with the help of Pope Leo XIV.

Ukrainian officials called the pause one of the most important since the invasion began over four and a half years ago.

The agreement allows civilians to leave the devastated area and permits aid deliveries.

Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova said a convoy of 25 buses was ready in the city.

The buses can carry 750 people, and nine ambulances with more than 50 medical staff were also staged.

Lanatratova stated in a video on Friday that people were boarding the buses.

She said those wanting to go to Russia and those wanting to go to Ukraine would both have the chance.

Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed Ukrainian representatives were on the ground.

Lubinets said in a statement that the ceasefire had held for more than 80 hours.

He added that he was speaking with residents to determine their immediate needs and required assistance. "The escape route presents a major complication for the evacuees.", "Oleshky sits across the Dnieper River from Kherson, which is under Ukrainian control.", "However, the designated path to safety runs through Russian territory and Belarus.", "Residents told Sky News they feared the route would end in Russia or Belarus rather than Ukraine.", "Some families are weighing whether to board the buses or stay in the city.", "Mines were cleared from the designated roads to make the journey safer.", "The city’s population has dropped sharply since 2022.", "Pre-invasion records show more than 20,000 people lived in Oleshky.", "Estimates now put the number of remaining residents at about 2,000.", "Survivors have been living on small amounts of grain and edible weeds since May.", "Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16 to urge a pause.", "The first lady’s office said she learned of the situation at a UN gathering in September.", "She used contacts from her work reuniting Ukrainian children with families to help arrange the truce.", "The ceasefire was announced on Oct. 23 and expires at 10:59 p.m. Sunday Kyiv time.", "Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said the truce could serve as a model for other areas.", "He noted the direct involvement of American negotiators and the U.S. first lady.", "Outside of Oleshky, the fighting continued without interruption.", "Ukraine’s air force reported Russian strikes on 17 locations overnight.",