Kherson Residents Return to Streets During Oct. 27 Ceasefire

Ukraine and Russia observed a ceasefire from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 that paused hostilities in a southern region including Kherson. The agreement, brokered by First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV, was designed primarily to assist the town of Oleshky, located across the Dnipro River from Kherson. Russian forces have occupied Oleshky since 2022 and laid mines on the surrounding land, which blocked most food and medical supplies from reaching the population.

During the truce, hundreds of residents from Oleshky were evacuated. They traveled by bus to northern Ukraine, a route that was previously difficult to navigate due to the conflict. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian ombudsman, credited Melania Trump with ensuring the ceasefire took place. Lubinets stated that he believes such truces can be upheld and honored.

For the residents of Kherson, the pause in fighting offered a brief return to daily routines. Russian troops had occupied the city for several months in 2022 until local partisans aided Ukrainian soldiers in expelling them. Since 2024, Russian forces positioned across the river have targeted Kherson residents with first-person-view drones carrying explosives. To mitigate these attacks, the highway into the city and many streets and buildings are covered in heavy mesh anti-drone nets.

Olena Soboleva and Anna Herasimenko, both 21, used the clear skies to walk the streets and meet at a cafe. Soboleva noted that there were no drones or explosions during the period. Herasimenko visited a salon and painted her nails burgundy. She observed that the streets were full of people, similar to pre-war conditions. Families strolled with children, and shoppers stocked up on supplies.

Svitlana Vorobiova, a retired police officer, drove from a safer city to visit Kherson. She took photographs with her children at the Greek-style monument that marks the city’s gateway. Vorobiova said she has a home in Kherson and that her parents still live there. Her son, who had not visited in four years, expressed surprise at being back in his hometown.

Volodymyr Mykolaienko, a former mayor of Kherson, walked through the city and greeted locals. The 66-year-old was held prisoner by Russian forces from early 2022 until his release in a prisoner exchange last year. During the ceasefire, he visited his father’s grave in a part of the city typically filled with drones. Mykolaienko said he prayed at the grave and thanked his father for his life.

Olena Yehorova, an oncology nurse, watched a man play the accordion at a busy bus stop. She described the truce as a relief that allowed city residents to breathe. However, she maintained a level of caution, noting that one cannot trust the Russians. Yehorova looked up at the sky as the truce neared its end, expecting new attacks to resume.

The ceasefire concluded on Sunday night. The period of calm ended, returning the region to its previous state of conflict.