A planned six-day ceasefire, brokered by former first lady Melania Trump and tied to a humanitarian aid mission in a Russian-occupied town, has brought a rare period of quiet to the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson. The localized pause in fighting began Tuesday, allowing for the delivery of medicine and food to Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city across the Dnipro River from Kherson, before evacuation corridors are scheduled to open later in the week. The situation in Oleshky has been described as desperate, with dwindling food and medical supplies for the estimated 2,000 residents still there, and movement restricted by drones and land mines. Kherson, a southern port city, has endured years of attacks from the opposing bank of the Dnipro River. Russian forces have employed guided aerial bombs and explosive-laden drones, transforming the city into a frontline. Despite the ongoing conflict, the recent lull in hostilities has allowed more people than usual to be seen in Kherson's streets. Some residents used the quiet to stock up on groceries or prepare firewood for winter, while others simply took advantage of the silence to stroll. Municipal workers have also used the pause to repair and reinforce netting that protects streets from drone attacks. The city itself bears visible scars of war, with plywood covering windows and shattered glass common. Many shops and offices have been closed for years, and entire blocks further from the city center show signs of extensive damage, with only faded advertisements and remnants of buildings indicating their former purpose. Residents have begun cautiously checking on damaged properties and collecting belongings. Anton Shakhunov, who returned to a heavily damaged building where he once rented an apartment, described the scene as a testament to the destruction. "Here is the Russian world in all its beauty," he remarked, reflecting on the memories tied to his former home. Others expressed mixed feelings about the quiet. Oleksii Kroshchenko noted that the absence of drones and guided bombs has allowed people to move more freely, though the silence itself can be unsettling. His wife, Liudmyla Shevchenko, used the opportunity to tend to her garden, replanting flowers. However, the sound of the wind sometimes mimicked the whistle of drones, highlighting the persistent anxiety. While the silence is a welcome respite, it is periodically broken by distant blasts attributed to demining efforts. The remote scattering of mines by Russian forces remains a significant danger, with fallen leaves potentially concealing explosives. A military press officer was reportedly killed by a mine on Tuesday. Many residents harbor fears that Russia may use the ceasefire to regroup, stockpile drones, and move additional forces closer to the front lines. Oleksandra Kostenko, who endured the Russian occupation, voiced concerns that renewed hostilities are inevitable. For some, like Yuliia Orlova, the ongoing conflict has led to discussions about leaving the city, which was once a vital regional hub, due to concerns about its future. Orlova took advantage of the quiet to visit her mother in a riverside district that is usually too heavily shelled to access. She, too, worried that the ceasefire would primarily benefit Russia by allowing resupply. "God willing, it will help the people there (in Oleshky) to get out. I think that is the most important thing," she said.