Activists hold placards with slogans during a rally in support of residents of Oleshky, Kherson region, calling on the international community to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied city. Image source, Getty Images
BySareen Habeshian
  • Published25 minutes ago

A truce has begun in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, a week after it was announced by US First Lady, Melania Trump.

The ceasefire is meant to allow aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians.

Russia's defence ministry said on Telegram it had stopped firing toward the Ukrainian city of Kherson - across the river from Oleshky - at 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT) in preparation for the humanitarian operation.

Oleshky is on the south bank of the river Dnipro, which forms the front line in the Kherson region. The remaining residents have been desperately short of food and other essential supplies.