Russia Accuses Ukraine of Launching Strikes Against Oleshky Ahead of Ceasefire

By Reuters Oct. 26, 2026 The Russian occupied city of Oleshky in eastern Ukraine. 34th Separate Marine Brigade "Borysfen" / Handout via REUTERS Russia's Defense Ministry on Monday accused Ukraine of repeatedly striking the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine with artillery and drones ahead of a planned local ceasefire this week, something it said had prevented the delivery of food and medicine and stopped people from leaving. Ukraine and Russia said on Friday they had agreed to a ceasefire in Oleshky that would go into effect on Oct. 27, allowing for the delivery of aid and the evacuation of residents through humanitarian corridors. Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Ukraine had struck the town 18 times with artillery fire and carried out more than 120 drone attacks on it and the main roads around it in the week since Oct. 19. Reuters could not independently verify that assertion, and there was no immediate response from Ukraine, which has in the past accused Russia of not letting aid in or people out of the town. Also on Monday, the Kremlin said that the local humanitarian ceasefire agreed for Oleshky with the United States' help could set a precedent for similar ceasefires elsewhere in Ukraine. The ceasefire comes as residents of the town, controlled by Russian forces since February 2022 and located close to the front line, have reported ​a deepening food crisis, with both sides accusing each other of blocking supplies. Read more about: Ukraine war , Occupied Ukraine Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Feature ‘Systemic Degradation’: How 4 Years of Occupation Have Devastated the Economy of Eastern Ukraine In a region already torn apart by war, the lack of means to put food on the table only heightens day-to-day hardship, experts and locals say. 5 Min read Ukraine, Russia Exchange Fire, at Least 7 Dead The uptick in civilian deaths came as Russian forces are pressing in hard in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. 2 Min read U.S. Citizen Killed in Moscow-Held Donetsk – Russian Media Russell Bentley, 64, was known to have fought with Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and had been given Russian nationality. 1 Min read Russian Defense Minister Visits Destroyed Ukrainian City Mariupol The Defense Ministry said Shoigu toured the destroyed port city to oversee reconstruction efforts. 2 Min read