Ukraine evacuated 167 civilians from threatened areas of the southern Kherson region on Sunday 1 November, as a six-day local ceasefire around the Russian-held town of Oleshky came to an end. The pause expired at midnight Moscow time, and there was no immediate indication of renewed fighting in the area as it lapsed.

Ukraine's General Staff said its units, working with local authorities, moved the evacuees to safer locations in Kherson region. The group included 22 children and 21 people with limited mobility who needed special assistance, according to the military statement.

A rare local pause in the war

The ceasefire, in place since Tuesday, covered Oleshky and its surrounding area and was reached after mediation efforts involving US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo. It was the longest local pause in fighting since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.

During the six days, roads were demined and food, medicines and other supplies were brought into the town. Two days before the expiry, buses carried residents out of Oleshky itself, and on Saturday residents described as starved and exhausted crossed into Ukrainian-held territory after a circuitous journey from near the front line.

No violations reported

Both Ukrainian and Russian officials said the ceasefire had held without violations during its duration. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said both sides had upheld the obligations they undertook for the period.

The Kherson regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, urged residents to remain vigilant as the ceasefire neared its end, warning that danger in areas close to the front line had not gone away. Military action continued elsewhere in Ukraine on Sunday, with regional officials reporting deaths in strikes in the Sumy and Vinnytsia regions.

Sources

Reuters: Ukraine evacuates civilians from parts of Kherson region as expiry of Oleshky ceasefire nears
SRN News (Reuters report): Oleshky ceasefire expires, Ukraine evacuates civilians from parts of Kherson region