Russia, Ukraine Plan Oleshky Humanitarian Ceasefire

The White House says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to pause military activity in Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, with First Lady Melania Trump helping broker the arrangement. The ceasefire is planned but has not yet begun, and accounts differ over its start date and geographic scope. The White House announcement, made October 23, set the pause to begin October 29 and described it as applying to the Russian-occupied town in southern Ukraine. It said the arrangement would create a window for aid to enter and for residents who want to leave to receive coordinated transport to a destination of their choice, in Russia or Ukraine. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, who led Ukraine’s negotiations, told the Associated Press that the ceasefire would start October 27, two days before the humanitarian mission, and last several days. He said it would cover the Kherson region and neighboring areas needed for the operation. Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov also said Russian forces would stop firing on the Kherson axis from 4 a.m. local time October 27 in connection with the mission. The White House account specifies October 29...