The Russians reinforced their positions during the humanitarian pause in Oleshky — General Staff

The Russian army used the ceasefire during a humanitarian operation in occupied Oleshky, in the Kherson region, to strengthen its positions. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the occupiers’ military activity on November 2 in an official statement on zsu.gov.ua.

The operation has already ended. The parties temporarily halted hostilities to carry it out. According to the Ukrainian military command, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces acted strictly within the terms of the agreements reached and ensured that the ceasefire was observed.

This made it possible to deliver humanitarian supplies to the city as intended. Some residents of Oleshky who chose to leave were able to return to territory controlled by Ukraine.

At the same time, according to the General Staff, Russian units not only reinforced their positions but also:

• rotated their units;
• expanded road defenses against drones — a development recorded by Ukrainian forces;
• increased logistical support, including by arranging additional ammunition deliveries.

The US First Lady Melania Trump issued her first public reaction to the end of the evacuation on October 31. She supported the evacuation throughout the process and expressed hope that the humanitarian mission would mark the starting point on the path to lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

We previously reported:

• Via Russia and Belarus: evacuated residents of Oleshky reach Ukraine
• Russian forces may be preparing an assault on Kherson during the ceasefire
• Ceasefire extended beyond Oleshky to allow humanitarian convoys through
• Ceasefire declared near occupied Oleshky for humanitarian mission
• Russians announce ceasefire near Oleshky: Mykolaiv serviceman warns of a possible trap