Ceasefire negotiated by Melania Trump holds in Russia-occupied Ukrainian city

A Russian drone strike on a crowded railway platform in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed at least 14 people on Thursday, occurring simultaneously with the continuation of a localized ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky. The attack, which targeted a platform where a commuter train and a passenger train were stationed, resulted in at least 14 injuries, with six victims in severe condition. This incident highlighted the persistent violence across Ukraine even as a humanitarian truce, mediated by United States First Lady Melania Trump, held for a third consecutive day in the south. The Dnipro strike took place on Thursday morning as passengers waited to board a train bound for the nearby city of Zaporizhzhia. State emergency service images released later showed bodies scattered across the platform and rescuers transporting the injured on stretchers. Two burnt-out passenger trains with shattered windows were visible at the scene. A dormitory belonging to a professional school near the station was also hit, sparking a fire. Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed the death toll reached 14 by the afternoon, noting that among the wounded was an 11-year-old boy and a man who required the amputation of both legs. Hospital officials stated that many of the injured suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, with four patients undergoing emergency surgery. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as horrific and demanded stricter sanctions against Russia. He questioned why sanctions had been lifted on certain Russian oligarchs and the energy sector without leading to de-escalation. Zelensky insisted that sanctions against Moscow and its war machine must not be eased for as long as the war continues. His comments followed recent moves by the United States, where President Donald Trump waived a slate of sanctions related to Russian fossil fuel sales earlier in the month. Russian state media previously reported that Washington was in talks with the Kremlin to lift sanctions on Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, a measure originally imposed by the Biden administration after the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The Dnipro tragedy occurred amidst a broader wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine. Authorities reported that at least 19 people were killed nationwide on Thursday, including two 15-year-old girls in the northern city of Chernihiv and three people in a residential building in the Poltava region. In Chernihiv, 23 people were injured, while 15 were hurt in Kremenchuk. By late Thursday, local officials indicated that at least 20 people had been killed and more than 70 injured in strikes across the country. European Union Council President Antonio Costa called for increased pressure on Russia, describing the strikes as cruel and devastating. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed outrage, stating that far more than a localized ceasefire was needed. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, pledged to urge partners to strengthen support for Ukraine and promote accountability through a special tribunal and compensation commission. In contrast to the violence in central and northern Ukraine, a fragile calm persisted in Oleshky, a frontline city in the Kherson region under Russian occupation since the start of the war in 2022. The ceasefire in Oleshky began around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, marking the start of a six-day humanitarian mission. The truce was brokered by Melania Trump with the involvement of Pope Leo and coordinated by Yana Lantratova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, and Dmytro Lubinets, his Ukrainian counterpart. Both Kyiv and Moscow praised the First Lady for securing the agreement, which allows for the delivery of food, medicine, and clean water to a population estimated at roughly 1,500 to a few thousand, down from pre-war figures of approximately 24,000. Trump described Oleshky as being on the brink of disaster, noting that the remaining residents are primarily elderly individuals in urgent need of medical care. She stated that without her intervention, bringing aid and evacuating the elderly would have been impossible. Demining operations along the routes for the humanitarian mission were declared complete by both sides, with virtually identical statements confirming that the convoy was ready for departure. The plan involves visiting residents to assess their needs and facilitating the evacuation of those who wish to leave, either to Ukraine or Russia. Non-military civilian leaders from both nations are working together to ensure safety measures are met during the transit period. Despite the localized success, observers noted the uneven nature of Washington’s progress in ending the nearly five-year conflict. Some analysts warned that Russia might utilize the truce for military resupply or propaganda purposes. Nevertheless, the initiative has improved the perception of the First Lady among Ukrainians compared to her husband, particularly given his recent stance on energy prices and sanctions. One Ukrainian resident remarked that they prefer Melania over the President. As the humanitarian convoy prepares to move, attention turns to upcoming US-led negotiations scheduled for next month, where the balance between diplomatic breakthroughs and ongoing battlefield realities will remain a central focus.