Preparations are underway to evacuate civilians from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region under a local ceasefire, according to DW. The truce took effect at 3 am Kyiv time on October 27.

Oleshky sits on the Dnipro River. It has been cut off since Russia seized it in 2022 and since the Kakhovka dam was destroyed in 2023, DW reports. All roads in were mined. Former residents describe hunger and no medicine, power or water. About 2,000 people still live there.

DW interviewed Myroslava Kharchenko, a lawyer with the Save Ukraine Foundation, which says it has rescued at least 300 people from the town in six months. She said mine clearing on the road began at about 8 am on the first day of the truce.

Organizers are using closed local chat groups to collect names, birth dates and health details from people who want to leave, she said. Some are sick, cannot walk well, or are hurt by mines. Kharchenko said a river route would be very dangerous. She expects people to leave through occupied land and possibly Russia, though details are being kept secret.

She estimated about 500 people may eventually leave. The evacuation is not expected to happen in a single day. Many residents are afraid after past failed attempts at a corridor, she said.

Kharchenko thanked Melania Trump for drawing attention to the town. A hospital and a morgue also need to be cleared, she said.

What we know: A local ceasefire is in effect, and groups are registering residents for evacuation.
What we don't: Only DW has reported this so far. NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.