A temporary cease-fire began early Tuesday morning in Ukraine’s Kherson region to facilitate the evacuation of residents from the nearby city of Oleshky, held by Russian forces since February 2022. Approximately 2,000 civilians remain in the city, where worsening shortages have led to a growing humanitarian crisis. The brief truce was brokered through rare negotiations involving Melania Trump, who helped secure an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to halt hostilities long enough to clear mines from evacuation routes and allow civilians to leave safely. Those evacuated will have the option to remain in Russian-controlled areas or return to Ukrainian-held territories.

Kherson, a city under Ukrainian control located just across the river from Oleshky, also experienced an unusual lull in attacks this week. Russia, which seized Kherson early in the 2022 invasion before Ukrainian forces pushed them back across the river, has frequently launched assaults on Kherson from nearby positions in Oleshky. However, since the cease-fire began, Russian forces have withheld fire on Kherson, offering a rare window of relative calm in a city often targeted by drone strikes, which Ukrainian officials have described as a form of “human safari.”

Residents of Kherson cautiously embraced the pause in violence. Yurii Kryvyi, a 61-year-old painter, and his friend Viktor gathered outdoors, noting the temporary quiet offered a chance to relax. “Finally it’s quiet,” Viktor said, reflecting a weary population used to constant danger from drones. Other groups of residents, including teenagers, used the truce to venture into parts of the city that have been off-limits for years, such as playgrounds and schools, after having attended classes online since 2022 amid bombardments.

Concerns remain among locals, however, about the longer-term implications of the cease-fire. Many fear that once civilians vacate Oleshky, Russian forces may reinforce their positions there and increase attacks on Kherson. Fourteen-year-old Vadym expressed worry that “if they bring more ammunition, it will only get worse.” Others, like coffee stand operator Oleksandra Kosenko, anticipate the calm will be brief and that violence will resume and possibly escalate.

Opinions on the involvement of Melania Trump in securing the truce varied. Some residents expressed skepticism of her husband, former President Donald Trump, but showed gratitude toward Melania for facilitating the cease-fire. “I thank her that people can at least evacuate,” said Ihor, 63, while another resident added that perhaps a female leader in the U.S. would be more effective.

During the cease-fire, residents took advantage of the respite to perform errands and tasks normally too dangerous under fire, such as visiting banks, feeding pets, and repairing infrastructure damaged by drone strikes. City workers swept streets and repaired defensive netting while shops and public spaces saw more activity.

For some, the temporary peace offered a chance to confront personal losses compounded by the war. Viktor Trusii, who had been unable to visit the cemetery where his wife and eldest son are buried due to extensive mining, managed to reach their graves by bicycle. He described the moment as profoundly emotional but tinged with sorrow over what has been lost. His other son, wounded on the frontline, is undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa.

While the sky was clear and the noise of war momentarily silenced, many residents of Kherson remain uncertain about what the future holds. The cease-fire provides a fragile respite amid ongoing conflict and uncertainty, underscoring the challenging conditions faced by civilians caught between Russian and Ukrainian forces.