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The Kremlin said Monday it assumed Ukraine’s army used last week’s Oleshky ceasefire to regroup, calling it “standard practice,” after Kyiv accused Russian forces of using the pause to fortify their positions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had no information on whether Russian forces had done the same, and that no similar local ceasefires were planned for now.
"Such questions are best directed to our Ministry of Defense. But in this case, it is safe to assume that the Ukrainian armed forces also used this period to regroup and so on. This is standard practice in such situations. But I am not familiar with the specifics," Peskov told reporters.
Ukraine's General Staff said it recorded rotations of Russian units, fortification of positions, expanded anti-drone measures along roads and increased logistics, including ammunition deliveries.
"Under the ceasefire introduced for the humanitarian operation in Oleshky, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine ensured that the ceasefire was observed and acted exclusively within the framework of the agreements reached," the General Staff said.
"The enemy, by contrast, used the humanitarian pause to improve its positions," the statement added.
Ukraine’s 34th Separate Marine Brigade urged Kherson residents not to ignore air raid sirens, saying there were reasons to expect intensified hostilities.
Peskov said the Kremlin considered the humanitarian operation a success and valued the coordination of all parties.
"A great deal of work was done by our human rights ombudsman Yana Lantratova. We appreciate the level of coordination with her counterpart on the Ukrainian side," he said, adding that Russia was grateful to the U.S., especially first lady Melania Trump.
"As for continuing this practice, each specific case is unique. So far there are no similar plans, and no similar initiatives yet," Peskov said.
Lantratova said both sides honored all commitments and were working together on continuing humanitarian missions.
"The mission was a success, delivering critical aid to the region and enabling the evacuation of nearly 800 people," Melania Trump wrote on X. "I hope Oleshky serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations."
Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said both sides had upheld their obligations.
"It is important to maintain this mechanism of cooperation so that we can continue helping people and saving lives," he said.
The ceasefire, which began Oct. 27, expired at 9 p.m. GMT Sunday. Russia refused a Ukrainian offer to extend it, a senior Ukrainian figure told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
A Russian drone hit a car in Kherson’s Korabelny district Monday morning, wounding a 62-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, local authorities said. Russian forces attacked 16 settlements in Ukrainian-held parts of the region in 24 hours, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
U.S.-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks are set to resume this month, as both sides trade claims over the Oleshky ceasefire.
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