Russia, Ukraine agree to temporary ceasefire for Oleshky humanitarian aid mission

Russian and Ukrainian human rights officials have agreed to a temporary ceasefire to allow a humanitarian aid and evacuation mission in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, located in southern Ukraine's Kherson region.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova announced in a social media post on Saturday that she had finalized operational details during an online meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets, who also heads Kiev’s negotiating team.

The two sides agreed on Friday to a temporary ceasefire in the area to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. Lantratova told Lubinets that a ceasefire in the area would take effect at 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT) on Oct. 27. Lubinets, in turn, said the Ukrainian side would begin its ceasefire at 03:00 Kiev time, meaning the two sides would halt fire simultaneously.

Lantratova said the two sides also reviewed previously agreed details, with preparations proceeding in line with the arrangements reached, adding that both sides were fulfilling their commitments. She emphasized that the priority of the mission is to provide humanitarian aid to the region's civilians.

Oleshky is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, opposite the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Oleshky has been on the frontline. Most residents have left, but an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 people remain, mostly elderly residents unable to leave, along with about 50 children.

The town has been facing a severe humanitarian situation, with residents reportedly experiencing worsening shortages of food and other essential supplies amid continuous fighting.

Russia, Ukraine agree to temporary ceasefire for Oleshky humanitarian aid mission

The U.S. Department of State said Saturday it had updated travel advisories for more than a dozen Middle East countries, urging Americans to reconsider travel to the region and prepare for sudden disruptions amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthi group.

Among those covered are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel. Several U.S. embassies have issued security alerts of their own in recent days, citing the rising tensions.

The move came as the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition traded heavy fire the same day.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement that the group launched seven missile and drone attacks targeting airports, oil facilities and a military base in the Saudi cities of Riyadh, Yanbu, Rabigh, Dammam, Najran and Khamis Mushait.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed several missiles fired toward Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu, as well as a drone in the Eastern Province.

The Houthis said Saturday's strikes came in response to what they described as 100 Saudi airstrikes over the previous 24 hours on Houthi-held areas of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Mocha in the southwestern province of Taiz.

In a separate statement, Sarea said Houthi forces had also targeted what he called Saudi-backed "mobilizations" at Al-Nasr camp and a naval military base in the southern port city of Aden, where Yemen's government is based.

U.S. updates travel advisories for Middle East countries amid Houthi threats