Evacuations begin in besieged Oleshky as truce holds

A humanitarian mission entered the devastated Ukrainian city of Oleshky today as Russia and Ukraine observed their most significant truce of the four-and-a-half-year war, delivering aid and beginning evacuations for residents. A convoy of 25 buses, ambulances, and aid vehicles arrived in the Russian-occupied city, with some 2,000 people still living there. The localised ceasefire in Ukraine's southern Kherson region has held for four days and is due to continue through Sunday evening, with both countries stating all who wish to leave can do so safely. The United States played a central role in brokering the mission, with the White House crediting first lady Melania Trump, while Pope Leo XIV also pressed leaders to help. Outside Oleshky, the war continued, with Russia reporting over 1,000 Ukrainian drones downed overnight and Ukraine reporting missile and drone attacks. Demining of routes killed two people.