Moscow / Kyiv, 24 October. The United States has a detailed plan for how the ceasefire in Oleshky, Kherson region, will work "literally by days, hours and minutes", Mark Beckman, a senior adviser to the US first lady, said; the Russian and Ukrainian human rights commissioners, Yana Lantratova and Dmytro Lubinets, held an online meeting and confirmed that the ceasefire begins simultaneously, at 04:00 Moscow time, or 03:00 Kyiv time, on 27 October.
"Both Russia and Ukraine are fulfilling their commitments under the agreements," Lantratova said. Lubinets, as reported by Suspilne, said the ceasefire would cover not only the town itself but also the areas through which humanitarian routes will pass. The agreements provide for clearing mines from routes for civilians; the operation will take place in several stages, each of which may take several days, and residents will decide for themselves where to go.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry ambassador-at-large Rodion Miroshnik said there were no changes "on the ground" yet and that the Oleshky truce, in his words, has no effect on the course of negotiations.
Oleshky is a town on the left bank of the Dnipro about 5 km from Kherson, under Russian control since 2022. On 23 October the White House announced the agreement, giving 29 October as the start date; both sides now name the 27th.
What it means: The evacuation truce now has a date, a time and a plan; the discrepancy in dates is resolved, with both sides naming the morning of 27 October.
Who benefits: Oleshky residents get a chance of aid and evacuation. Washington confirms its mediating role ahead of the trilateral round in Abu Dhabi. Moscow and Kyiv show readiness for humanitarian agreements without changing their positions on substance.
Background: According to the White House, the ceasefire talks were conducted by US First Lady Melania Trump. The Kremlin has scheduled the next round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US for the first half of November.
We have also reported that Russia and Ukraine confirmed the Oleshky truce to evacuate residents.
