Ukraine claims Russia used Oleshky truce to upgrade front lines

Russian forces used the recent ceasefire in Oleshky to reinforce their military posture, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The military command stated that enemy units rotated, strengthened positions, and expanded anti-drone protections along key roads during the humanitarian pause.

The General Staff noted that logistics capacity was also increased, including the delivery of ammunition. This assessment comes as the Ukrainian side maintained that its units observed the ceasefire terms strictly. The command emphasized that the truce allowed aid supplies to reach their intended destinations within the temporarily occupied city.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, initiated the truce at 03:00 on 27 October. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed the agreement, which was scheduled to last until 22:59 on 1 November. The evacuation route for residents ran through Russia and Belarus before re-entering Ukrainian territory. Lubinets' office provided an explanation for this specific transit path.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 31 October that the humanitarian operation had been successfully completed. All Ukrainian citizens who wished to leave Oleshky crossed the state border in Chernihiv Oblast. On the evening of 1 November, Lubinets declared the end of the ceasefire, stating that both sides honored their commitments throughout the period.

The next phase involves continued military operations in Kherson Oblast as the formal truce concludes. Ukrainian forces remain in their established positions, while Russian units retain the logistical and defensive upgrades implemented during the pause.