Russia and Ukraine stop firing in Oleshky to get 2,000 trapped civilians out

In the middle of the war, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop firing at one small spot on the map: Oleshky, a town in the Kherson region, on the bank of the Dnipro river controlled by Russia.

Why Oleshky

About 2,000 residents are trapped in the town, many of them elderly people who need doctors, medicine, food and water.

Oleshky is on the left bank of the Dnipro, opposite the city of Kherson, which Ukraine controls.

How it will work

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, its troops stopped firing in that sector on October 27. The humanitarian mission starts on Thursday the 29th, the date proposed by the United States.

Civilian representatives from both countries will visit homes together to see what each family needs. Anyone who wants to leave can choose whether to go to Ukrainian or Russian-held territory. Beforehand, Russian soldiers are clearing mines from the access roads.

Kherson residents are living their first hours in years without constant attacks.

Melania Trump's role

The office of Melania Trump, the US first lady, says it helped secure the truce.

What to keep in mind

For now there are only announcements: it remains to be seen whether the aid arrives and the evacuation is completed.