Ukraine: Russia used ceasefire in occupied town to strengthen positions

Ukraine is accusing Russia of using a localized ceasefire agreement for the border city of Oleshky, brokered by first lady Melania Trump, to shore up its military positions around the city.

The truce for the Russian-occupied town located in southern Ukraine began on Tuesday and ended late Sunday, and it was meant to allow for the delivery of critical aid and evacuate residents. Around 2,000 people were reportedly trapped in the city because of fighting, including a large elderly population.

While there were no reported violations of the localized ceasefire, Ukraine’s military on Monday said Moscow had used the humanitarian pause to bring in new troops, strengthen its military positions, add in more anti-drone defenses on roads and send more ammunition to the area, according to multiple outlets .

Russia has held Oleshky since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The first lady characterized Oleshky as a “front-line war city on the brink of disaster” in a press release announcing the ceasefire agreement late last month.

Russia and Ukraine have pointed fingers at one another for the humanitarian crisis in the city, where explosive mines and drone attacks in the region kept residents from being able to escape as food, medicine and clean water all but disappeared.

The Kremlin accused Ukraine of repeatedly attacking Oleshky, effectively placing a blockade on the city, while Kyiv said Moscow on numerous occasions rejected temporary ceasefire proposals, stole aid packages and downed drones carrying supplies for civilians.

Despite the traded accusations, Trump on Sunday declared the ceasefire had been a “success” with nearly 800 people evacuated.

“On behalf of America, I commend Russia and Ukraine for their leadership and cooperation surrounding the Oleshky ceasefire,” she said in a statement posted to social media . “I hope Oleshky serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations.”

But the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to rage, with Russian forces over the weekend hitting energy infrastructure in four regions and cutting off power for hundreds of thousands of homes, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Three-way peace negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia are set for later this month in Abu Dhabi as President Trump has looked to jump-start talks largely abandoned by Washington following the start of the the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran on Feb. 28.