Moscow, October 24, 2026 – The Europe Today: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to establish a localized ceasefire in Alyoshki, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of civilians, according to statements from the White House and Russian officials.
The White House announced that the ceasefire would take effect on October 29, 2026, allowing humanitarian aid to enter the settlement and preparations to be made for civilian evacuations through a designated safe passage.
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov subsequently said the evacuation could take several days, adding that residents wishing to leave Alyoshki would be allowed to do so.
Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, separately announced that Russian forces would implement a localized ceasefire in the area beginning at 1:00 a.m. GMT on October 27 to support preparations for the humanitarian operation.
According to Gerasimov, engineering reconnaissance would be conducted to help ensure the safety of civilians and facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies to the settlement.
The White House said an independent US media organisation would assist in documenting the actions of both sides during the ceasefire. It also credited US First Lady Melania Trump with helping coordinate the agreement, saying she had engaged with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to establish its objectives, procedures, timing and terms.
The Kremlin likewise acknowledged Melania Trump’s contribution to coordinating the humanitarian operation. Russian officials also highlighted the role of Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, and Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, in facilitating communication over the ceasefire arrangements.
Russian officials said the humanitarian initiative followed earlier contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. During a telephone conversation on October 9, Putin reportedly agreed that Lantratova would maintain regular contact with Melania Trump’s team regarding the humanitarian situation in Alyoshki.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said on October 21 that Putin had asked US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to convey his appreciation to Melania Trump for her involvement in humanitarian matters related to Ukraine, including the situation in Alyoshki.
Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik also said that a humanitarian communication channel between Lantratova and the US first lady’s team could help communicate information about conditions in the settlement.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have reported worsening humanitarian conditions in Alyoshki, citing difficulties in delivering food and medicines amid shelling and drone attacks. On October 19, district head Ruslan Khomenko said Ukrainian forces had carried out more than 1,200 artillery and drone strikes in the area over the preceding week. These claims were reported by Russian sources and could not be independently verified from the information provided.
Russian authorities have said they are working to assist residents and organise their evacuation. Russian children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova has also been monitoring the situation, while Lantratova has discussed the matter with her Ukrainian counterpart.
The planned ceasefire is intended to create a temporary window for humanitarian access and civilian evacuation in an area where security conditions have reportedly obstructed the delivery of essential supplies.
The effectiveness of the arrangements will depend on both sides observing the localized ceasefire and ensuring safe passage for civilians and humanitarian personnel.
