By — Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press By — Volodymyr Yurchuk, Associated Press Volodymyr Yurchuk, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-brief-ceasefire-between-russia-and-ukraine-opens-a-perilous-escape-window-from-khersons-riverside-kill-zone Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A brief ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine opens a perilous escape window from Kherson's riverside kill zone World Nov 2, 2026 12:38 PM EST KOZATSKE, Ukraine (AP) — A white towel on her gate and a white rag in her hand were Ukrainian Nataliia Diadiuk's only ways to tell Russian drone operators she is a civilian. When a brief ceasefire kicked in on Oct. 27, she had a moment of respite. The 53-year-old is one of a handful of residents left in Kozatske, a riverside village located in the kill zone of Ukraine's Kherson region less than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from a Russian-controlled area. READ MORE: Ukraine and Russia both report fake emergency alerts after cyberattacks target apps as limited ceasefire ends "I really want silence," Diadiuk said, fighting back tears as she stood on an empty street lined with…
A brief ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine opens a perilous escape window from Kherson's riverside kill zone
In short
The localized pause, which concluded Sunday night, was tied to an aid mission in Russian-occupied Oleshky and permitted responders to enter vulnerable red zones located less than two kilometers from enemy positions. Teams successfully evacuated 180 civilians, including 23 children, from Kherson and neighboring riverside settlements. Despite the danger, some residents chose to stay behind due to financial limits and an attachment to their hometowns and animals. Those who remain must survive without basic utilities, relying on rainwater, collected firewood, and sporadic aid shipments amidst streets littered with unexploded ordnance.
Key points
- Nearly 70 percent of the broader Kherson region remains under Russian military control.: Nearly 70 percent of the broader Kherson region remains under Russian military control.
- Riverside populations located within two kilometers of Russian positions face ongoing thr…: Riverside populations located within two kilometers of Russian positions face ongoing threats from drones, artillery, glide bombs, and mines.
- Civilians who refuse to evacuate must survive by collecting firewood and drinking rainwat…: Civilians who refuse to evacuate must survive by collecting firewood and drinking rainwater amid unexploded munitions.