Local ceasefire takes effect in southern Ukraine under Russian occupation, agreement reached through US mediation

A local ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. (10 a.m. Japan time) on the 27th in Oreshki, Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, which is isolated under Russian occupation. Both Russia and Ukraine confirmed this. Mediated by the United States, both countries had agreed to temporarily suspend military operations to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid supplies and the evacuation of residents.

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Oreshki is located on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River from the regional capital, Kherson, and is the front line where drones from both sides fly. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with around 2,000 residents unable to evacuate due to landmines laid in the area, while food and medical supplies have been delayed due to the war.

The ceasefire in Oreshki was announced by the US White House on the 23rd. This was made possible by US First Lady Melania Trump, who is concerned about the humanitarian situation, and reached out to both Russia and Ukraine. With the midterm elections on November 3 just around the corner, Trump appears to be aiming to highlight his diplomatic achievements by achieving a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy explained in a social media post on the 25th that the ceasefire "will last for several days." Russia said it would clear landmines from the road and that U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials would be on site. Although he expressed hope that residents would be evacuated, he also expressed caution, saying, ``Russia will not release the people so easily.''

Regarding the ceasefire, Russian Presidential Spokesperson Peskov said on the 26th, ``I hope that the Ukrainian side will implement all agreements.'' In a statement on the same day, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed that the Ukrainian military was using drones to plant landmines to prevent civilian evacuations and food deliveries.