Humanitarian aid reaches Oleshky as Russia-Ukraine truce holds for third day

Humanitarian aid is scheduled to enter the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky on Friday as a rare Russia-Ukraine ceasefire holds for a third day, according to a Ukrainian official. The truce has brought a welcome stillness to the nearby Ukrainian-held city of Kherson. The six-day ceasefire, in place for 54 hours with no reported violations, allows for de-mining and safe passage for aid to reach about 2,000 trapped civilians. Both sides credited U.S. first lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV for helping broker the pause, with evacuations possible but mechanics unclear. Elsewhere, Russia reported downing 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight, one of the largest attacks, while Ukraine said Russia fired 112 drones. The truce comes as Moscow and Kyiv seek favor with Washington ahead of possible three-way talks next month.