Key facts
- Melania Trump's senior adviser said Vladimir Putin wanted her to mediate the Oleshky ceasefire.
- The ceasefire in Oleshky is expected to last into early November.
- A 2025 investigation found the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant supplies Russian defense companies.
- Russia's new drone launch site near Millerovo airfield could accommodate up to 100 drone launches per day.
- 80% of Ukrainians back strikes on Russian refineries even if US support is cut, a poll shows.
- The UK's 2027 support package is its biggest ever for Ukraine.
A ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast, initially mediated by former US First Lady Melania Trump, was holding on Oct. 28. Melania Trump's senior adviser, Marc Beckman, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had strongly desired her involvement to broker the agreement, which was expanded to cover more of Kherson Oblast to facilitate aid delivery and evacuations. Ukraine agreed to the expanded terms, and both sides have reportedly cooperated in upholding the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukraine's military is reported to have conducted overnight strikes on chemical and metallurgical plants within Russia, with explosions noted in Lipetsk. Ukraine's military intelligence agency also reported that Russia is constructing a new drone launch site near Millerovo airfield in Rostov Oblast, potentially to intensify attacks during winter. The Netherlands announced a new military aid package of 500 million euros for Ukraine, and the UK pledged over 10 billion pounds ($13.3 billion) in support for 2027. President Zelensky expects trilateral peace talks with Russia and the US to take place in Abu Dhabi by mid-November.