Valery Gerasimov

Melania Trump brokers localized ceasefire in Ukrainian city of Oleshky

Set the ceasefire timing for Russian forces

A six-day ceasefire that Melania Trump brokered in Ukraine's southern Kherson region ended on November 1. Russia and Ukraine reported no violations in the Oleshky area during the pause, though both continued strikes elsewhere and BBC News reported fighting returned to the Kherson region after the truce.

Updated Nov 3

Russia claims capture of Kostiantynivka as Ukraine says the city still holds

Force in Play

As of July 2026: Reported full capture of the city to Putin

Russia says it holds Kostiantynivka. Ukraine says its troops are still fighting inside the city. On July 5, 2026, Russia's Defense Ministry offered a six-hour truce there for July 6 to hand back the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers. Kyiv rejected the offer.

Updated Jul 5

The battle for Kupiansk

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Repeatedly making disputed claims about Kupiansk

Russian forces have spent more than two years trying to recapture Kupiansk, a railway hub they lost in five days during Ukraine's 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. On February 9, 2026, they launched a mechanized assault east of the city, claiming to have captured Petropavlivka and Stepova Novoselivka, though Ukrainian forces said they repelled multiple attacks there.

Updated May 27

U.S. and Russia restore military communication channel

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Active duty; Putin extended his service past mandatory retirement age

The United States and Russia agreed on February 5, 2026, to reestablish high-level military communication that had been suspended since fall 2021. The channel gives General Alexus Grynkewich (commander of U.S. European Command) a direct line to General Valery Gerasimov (chief of Russia's General Staff). It restores a mechanism designed to prevent miscalculation between two nuclear-armed militaries operating in proximity across Europe, the Arctic, and the Black Sea.