Kherson's brief ceasefire lets residents reclaim normal life

A short ceasefire in Ukraine's Kherson region, negotiated by First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV, allowed residents a brief return to normal life over the weekend, with clear skies and bustling streets before the truce ended Sunday night. The ceasefire, lasting from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, enabled evacuations of hundreds of residents from the mined town of Oleshky, who were escorted to northern Ukraine on buses. Locals like Olena Soboleva and Anna Herasimenko met at cafes, while others visited salons and monuments, enjoying a respite from Russian drones that typically fill the area. Kherson has faced constant drone attacks since 2024, with anti-drone nets covering streets and buildings. Former mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko, a freed prisoner of war, visited his father's grave during the pause, and residents expressed relief while expecting attacks to resume, as Ukraine's ombudsman thanked Melania Trump for the truce.