Ireland breaking news coverage is following developments in Ukraine, where a rare humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky is due to end on Sunday night. The limited pause allowed civilians to leave the southern Kherson region, even as fighting and attacks on critical infrastructure continued elsewhere.
The ceasefire, which began last week, created a narrow opportunity for residents trapped in Oleshky to evacuate. The city has been under Russian occupation since the early stages of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, with the Dnipro River, mined routes and ongoing drone attacks severely restricting movement.
Ukraine ceasefire allows civilians to escape Oleshky
The localised truce was initially focused on Oleshky before being extended across the wider Kherson region. It was due to conclude at 22:59 local time on Sunday, equivalent to 21:00 GMT.
Residents had faced acute shortages of food, drinking water and electricity. Reports from the area described people using garden weeds for cooking as supplies dwindled. The evacuation route was particularly complicated: civilians travelled through Russian-controlled territory into southern Russia, continued to Belarus by air and then crossed into northern Ukraine by road.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said evacuees included a 94-year-old person and a one-year-old child. Emotional family reunions followed after some residents had been separated from relatives for several years.
Why the evacuation route was so difficult
- Oleshky was isolated by the Dnipro River and Russian military positions.
- Roads out of the city were mined and vulnerable to drone attacks.
- Ukrainian military positions were reported to be only about 5km away.
- Evacuees had to pass through occupied territory before reaching Ukraine.
Energy strikes leave hundreds of thousands without power
While the ceasefire held in the Kherson area, attacks continued in other parts of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky said overnight strikes had targeted energy infrastructure in four regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without electricity.
Emergency repairs continued throughout the day. Most customers in the Dnipropetrovsk region had their electricity restored by early evening, although more than 60,000 people remained without power, according to the regional governor.
Emergency power cuts have also affected Kyiv, where electricity has reportedly been unavailable for much of the day. Water supplies have been disrupted in the capital, adding to the pressure on residents and essential services.
Zelensky described the intensity of Russian attacks over the previous week as extremely high. He said Ukraine was facing a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors and renewed calls for Patriot missile systems from the United States, European countries and other partners.
Deadly strike reported in Vinnytsia region
Another overnight attack killed two people in the Vinnytsia region, including a 13-year-old girl, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. Emergency responders were shown working at the scene as authorities assessed the damage.
The deaths underline the continuing danger for civilians despite the limited pause in fighting around Kherson. The ceasefire was humanitarian rather than a wider agreement to halt hostilities across Ukraine.
Ukraine says strike hit Russian missile fuel facilities
Ukraine also reported an attack inside Russia’s Rostov region. Zelensky said a major missile-fuel producer had been hit, causing a fire and damage to four production facilities.
The reported strike reflects the broader pattern of attacks on military and energy-related infrastructure on both sides. Independent verification of the full extent of the damage was not immediately available, while the wider conflict continues to generate concern about civilian safety and regional stability.
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What happens after the Kherson ceasefire?
The end of the humanitarian pause could make evacuation more difficult for civilians still hoping to leave Oleshky. It also returns attention to the wider military situation, where energy infrastructure remains a major target and emergency services are working to restore electricity and water.
For audiences tracking live updates Ireland and international developments, the key issues to watch are whether further humanitarian corridors can be arranged, how quickly damaged power networks are repaired and whether additional air-defence support reaches Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Oleshky ceasefire?
It was a limited humanitarian pause in fighting that enabled civilians to leave the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky and parts of the Kherson region.
When was the ceasefire due to end?
The ceasefire was scheduled to end at 22:59 Ukrainian time on Sunday, or 21:00 GMT.
How many people were without electricity?
Hundreds of thousands of homes were affected across four regions after attacks on energy infrastructure. More than 60,000 people in Dnipropetrovsk remained without power after restoration work had begun.
What happened in Vinnytsia?
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said an overnight strike killed two people, including a 13-year-old girl.
Conclusion
The latest Ireland breaking news focus on Ukraine highlights the fragile nature of humanitarian pauses during war. The Oleshky evacuation offered families a rare chance to reunite, but continuing attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure show that the wider conflict remains unresolved. The immediate priority is protecting residents, restoring essential services and securing safe routes for anyone still trapped in occupied areas.