Evacuation begins in Ukraine's Oleshky under Melania Trump-brokered ceasefire

An evacuation mission is underway in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky under a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump, with Pope Leo XIV's involvement, marking one of the most significant pauses in fighting since the 2022 invasion. The operation, which has held for over 80 hours, involves 25 buses, nine ambulances, and more than 50 medical professionals to transport residents, though some fear the escape route through Russia and Belarus may prevent them from reaching Ukrainian-controlled territory. Russian forces seized Oleshky early in the invasion, and its population has dwindled from 20,000 to an estimated 2,000. The ceasefire, announced Oct. 23 and due to expire Sunday, was prompted by the Pope's Oct. 16 call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Trump used contacts from her Ukrainian children reunification efforts. Russian strikes continued on 17 other locations overnight, and Ukraine reportedly targeted a Russian oil refinery.