Rare ceasefire in Ukraine: Russia and Ukraine begin joint evacuation of civilians

Russia and Ukraine have launched a joint evacuation operation for civilians from the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, following a rare local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump. A convoy of aid entered the city, where about 2,000 residents remain.

Russia and Ukraine today (Friday) began a joint evacuation operation for civilians from the city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine, which has been under Russian control since the start of the war. The operation is made possible by a rare local ceasefire, brokered by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, which came into effect on Tuesday. A convoy of 25 buses, ambulances, and aid vehicles entered the city, where about 2,000 residents remain. The operation is being coordinated between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, and residents will be able to choose whether to evacuate to Ukrainian-controlled territory or to Russia. Ahead of the operation, mine clearance work on access routes to the city was completed yesterday, during which two people were killed. Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets announced that the evacuation is expected to continue until 14:00, after which aid distribution will begin. According to a local volunteer, about a thousand residents have expressed a desire to leave the city, but the Prime Minister of Ukraine clarified that the number of evacuees is still unknown. The agreement was reached with the assistance of Melania Trump and the involvement of Pope Leo XIV. The ceasefire is expected to last until Sunday evening, but is limited to the Oleshky area and its surroundings. Meanwhile, fighting continues on other fronts.