Oleshky humanitarian operation credited to Melania Trump was actually negotiated by Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies, Le Monde reports

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1. 2h ago

   Intelligence Agencies Arranged Oleshky Evacuation

   Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies actually negotiated the humanitarian evacuation from Oleshky in the Kherson region, according to reports from Le Monde. Publicly, the operation and subsequent temporary ceasefire had been credited to Melania Trump and U.S. mediation efforts. Following the arrangement, evacuees returned to Ukraine after 1,711 days. Meanwhile, officials stated that both sides utilized the pause in fighting for tactical advantage, with Ukraine using the truce to rearm and Moscow assuming Kyiv did the same.

   Why it matters

   The operation initially gained widespread international attention when it was framed as a U.S.-brokered diplomatic breakthrough, culminating in events at the White House. However, investigative reporting reveals that the groundwork was laid directly by Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services behind the scenes. This discrepancy highlights the complex interplay between secret military negotiations and public diplomatic narratives during the ongoing conflict.

   What is confirmed

   • Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services prepared the mission to evacuate civilians from Oleshky in the Kherson region.
   • Le Monde reported that the humanitarian operation was actually negotiated by Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies.
   • Ukraine stated that Russia used the Oleshky truce to rearm, while Moscow assumed Kyiv did the same.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The evacuation operation was originally brokered by Melania Trump and the United States.
   • Nearly 800 people were evacuated from Oleshky during the ceasefire.

   What to watch next

   • Further official statements from Kyiv or Moscow regarding direct intelligence channels
   • Additional investigative disclosures concerning the Oleshky ceasefire agreement
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. www.whitehouse.gov — The White House
   2. Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 31, 2026
   3. The New York Times — ‘We Are Coming From Hell’: A Ukrainian City’s Evacuees Tell Survival Stories
   4. CNN — Reunited after 1,711 days: Oleshky evacuees return to Ukraine under Melania Trump-brokered ceasefire
   5. AP News — A brief ceasefire opens a perilous escape window from Kherson’s riverside kill zone
   6. Reuters — Ukraine says Russia used Oleshky truce to rearm, Moscow assumes Kyiv did same
   7. Meduza — Oleshky humanitarian operation credited to Melania Trump was actually negotiated by Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies, Le Monde reports
   8. Vatican News — Pope appeals for dialogue and concrete initiatives for peace in Ukraine
   9. Reuters — Kremlin says it assumes that the Ukrainian army used the Oleshky ceasefire to regroup in line with 'normal practice'
   10. CBS News — Residents evacuated from Russia-occupied Oleshky arrive back in Ukraine amid temporary U.S.-brokered ceasefire
   11. www.whitehouse.gov — First Lady Melania Trump Unites Russia and Ukraine at The White House Following Historic Ceasefire
   12. meduza.io — Oleshky humanitarian operation credited to Melania Trump was ...
   confidence 90%