US First Lady Melania Trump Brokers Six-Day Ceasefire in Kherson

A six-day ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump has brought a rare sense of calm to the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson, located in southern Ukraine.

The ceasefire, tied to a humanitarian aid mission in a Russian-occupied town, has held for several days and has significantly reduced the violence that had been plaguing the region. The city's residents have begun to emerge from their homes, cautiously venturing out into the streets as they sense an end to the constant bombardment.

Kherson sits directly across the Dnipro River from the Russian-occupied part of the region, making it a key location in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. For years, the city has been caught in the crossfire, with both sides trading blows that have left its residents living in fear of their lives.

The ceasefire was brokered by Melania Trump as part of a humanitarian aid mission to Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city that she described as "on the brink of disaster". The localized truce has spread to the other side of the river within the Kherson region, which is only partially under Russian control.

The truce in Oleshky has allowed residents to venture out and stock up on essentials as they prepare for evacuation.

Many people took advantage of the calm to go shopping for groceries or gather firewood for the winter ahead. Some even strolled through the streets, enjoying a rare moment of peace after years of conflict.

In Kherson city center, 61-year-old Hanna Llianna was seen having coffee and taking a walk, her first visit in nearly two years. However, she avoided areas closer to the river where her former grocery store once stood, fearing what she might see.

Llianna expressed concern that if fighting resumes, it will be difficult for residents to cope with the loss of their daily routines and livelihoods.

The quiet calm that has settled over Kherson is allowing city workers to make long-overdue repairs to damaged infrastructure. In an effort to protect residents from drone attacks, municipal crews have been busy extending and repairing the netting that shields streets from aerial threats.

The physical scars of war are still evident throughout the city, with plywood covering broken windows and shattered glass littering the sidewalks. Billboards bearing faded advertisements stand as a reminder of better times, while many shops and offices remain shuttered due to years of conflict.

As residents cautiously emerge into areas that were once too dangerous to visit, they're finding scenes of devastation. Blocks of buildings have been left without windows, with only signs indicating what once stood there - such as a university or hospital.

Anton Shakhunov is among those who've returned to survey the damage and gather belongings from abandoned properties. He recalls renting a luxurious apartment in a high-rise building that was once a symbol of his business success before Russia's invasion forced him out.

The residents of Kherson are cautiously embracing a rare period of calm after months of intense bombardment.

As Oleksii Kroshchenko navigates the streets in his car, he's struck by the sense of normalcy that has returned to the city.

He recalls driving through this area without fear for himself or his vehicle, a stark contrast to the previous state of constant anxiety.

The absence of drones has allowed people to venture out and resume their daily routines, albeit with some trepidation.

The absence of drones has allowed people to venture out and resume their daily routines, albeit with some trepidation. However, even this silence is not without its challenges as residents grow accustomed to it. The sound of distant blasts that are attributed to demining operations breaks the stillness.

Another deadly danger remains in the city: mines scattered by Russian forces remotely. A military press officer was killed by one on Tuesday, and residents are walking carefully due to fallen leaves covering much of the ground, which can hide explosives. This situation has led many to fear that Russia will use the pause to stockpile drones and bring more forces closer.

Many residents who remain in the city say they cannot afford to start over elsewhere. However, some have begun considering leaving, convinced that the city no longer has a future as it once was the main artery of the region. Yuliia Orlova and her husband are among those thinking about leaving, citing concerns for their safety.

Residents like Oleksandra Kostenko, who lived through the occupation and has left the city only briefly since, fear that the current calm will eventually come to an end. She believes that Russia will use the pause to terrorize them again.

The usually heavily shelled riverside district where Orlova's mother lives has been quiet for a few days now, allowing Orlova to visit her without fear of being caught in crossfire.

Orlova is wary that the ceasefire will only give Russia time to regroup and replenish its ammunition, potentially leading to renewed violence.