Russia exploited Oleshky ceasefire to reinforce positions and rotate troops

Russian forces used the temporary ceasefire around occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast to strengthen their military positions, rotate units, and improve logistics, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on November 2. The local truce, which lasted from October 27 until the evening of November 1, had been agreed to facilitate a humanitarian mission delivering aid and evacuating civilians.

According to the General Staff, Russian troops conducted personnel rotations, reinforced fortifications, expanded anti-drone defenses along key roads, and increased the delivery of ammunition and other supplies. Sky News published video footage showing Russian armored vehicles, infantry, and equipment being moved into the town during the ceasefire period.\

Ukrainian forces stated that they strictly observed the terms of the agreement and acted only within the framework of the humanitarian arrangements. Officials noted that the pause was intended solely to help civilians trapped in the city, which had faced severe shortages under Russian occupation.

Russian bomb strikes kill 24 at humanitarian aid center in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russian forces struck a school used as a humanitarian aid distribution center in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on November 2, killing at least 24 people, including two rescue workers and four police officers. Five others were injured, among them two rescuers. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian aircraft dropped several aerial bombs on the settlement throughout the morning, first hitting the school where aid was regularly distributed to local residents, then launching another nine bombs on a shelter where people had taken cover.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service identified the killed rescuers as Denys Konovalenko and Oleksii Sushchevskyi, both 44. They had arrived at the scene after the initial strike and took shelter when the threat of further attacks became clear, but Russian forces struck the same site again. The attack destroyed a gymnasium, an outbuilding, and a fire truck, while also damaging the school building. Both men had long careers in civil protection and left behind wives and four children between their families.

Zelensky described the attack as “exceptionally horrific” and said it showed Russia has no interest in de-escalation. He noted that Russian forces could not have been unaware that local residents regularly received humanitarian aid at the school. Komyshuvakha lies about 20 kilometers from the front line and has faced repeated guided aerial bomb attacks. These bombs, fitted with wing kits, allow Russian aircraft to strike from a distance while remaining outside the range of air defenses.

Ukrainian human rights chief says he and Russian counterpart have agreed to present joint proposal to Melania Trump

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said on November 2 that he and his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, have agreed to jointly approach U.S. First Lady Melania Trump with a proposal to extend the recent humanitarian mission in Oleshky to other settlements facing severe conditions.

Speaking at a press conference, Lubinets noted that Lantratova had already publicly raised the idea of organizing similar operations elsewhere. He confirmed that both sides had developed the proposal together and would formally present it to Melania Trump.

The initiative aims to replicate the successful evacuation and aid delivery carried out in Oleshky under a temporary local ceasefire, expanding the practice to other areas in need, including those outside Kherson Oblast.