A local ceasefire in a southern Ukrainian city under Russian occupation appeared to be holding on Tuesday, with both sides ceasing drone attacks ahead of an apparent evacuation of about 2,000 trapped and desperate civilians.

The temporary truce began at 3am in Russian-controlled Oleshky. The city sits on the Dnipro River and is about 3 miles (5km) from Kherson, a larger city on the opposite bank. Ukrainian troops recaptured Kherson in autumn 2022 .

Map of frontline in Kherson

Witnesses reported that the deadly frontline across the river was quiet for the first time in four years. The pause in fighting is due to last until 11pm on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said, and represents a significant if limited moment of de-escalation.

Finland’s president, Alexander Stubb, and Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, held what they described as a “frank and substantive” phone call with Vladimir Putin about efforts to end the war in Ukraine.…