Oleshky ceasefire holds for second day as demining begins for humanitarian corridor
A US-brokered local truce in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region has held for a second day, according to both sides. Demining of a route is under way so aid can reach residents and civilians can leave.
A local ceasefire in southern Ukraine held for a second day on Wednesday, both Kyiv and Moscow said. It covers the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region, where an estimated 2,000 people remain with shortages of food and medical care. Reports say many are starving and eating weeds.
The truce, brokered by the United States, took effect early on Tuesday. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said 30 hours had passed without an incident, and Russian ombudsman Yana Lantratova issued a similarly worded statement. Lubinets's office said the ceasefire would be guaranteed by the physical presence of both ombudsmen on the ground.
Lubinets said on social media that route demining was under way, calling it a crucial step towards safely delivering humanitarian aid and allowing civilians who wish to leave the city to do so.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in The Hague that there had been no massive attacks on Kherson since the truce began. About 280,000 people lived in the city before Russia's invasion. He said the truce would be a "huge success" if the evacuation of Oleshky's residents went ahead as planned.
Other developments
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the timing of the next round of three-way talks is linked to the conflict in the Middle East, casting doubt on whether they will be held next month. Moscow has not yet proposed a specific date. Zelenskyy said he hoped for a meeting in Abu Dhabi between 6 and 10 November.
The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with €500m in military support this winter, mainly for drones and other equipment, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said. Earlier, the Dutch government announced €1.2bn in non-military aid over the next three years.
Russian authorities have issued permits allowing grain vessels to leave the Sea of Azov for the first time since 10 July, Reuters reported, citing seven industry sources. The permits are valid until 15 November.
