The agreement, brokered with the involvement of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, is set to expire on November 1. While no combat breaches have been reported, the operation faces intense scrutiny over the lack of independent oversight. Advocacy group Razom for Ukraine estimates that up to 2,000 civilians remain trapped in the city, facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. Human rights monitors fear that without third-party verification from bodies like the ICRC or the UN, the evacuation process could facilitate the abduction of civilians or the separation of families.

Concerns extend beyond the humanitarian mission. Yuriy Boyechko, chief executive of Hope for Ukraine, reported that Russian troops are utilizing the lull to move heavy armor and artillery toward the Dnieper River banks. These maneuvers suggest a potential buildup for a renewed offensive against Kherson. Meanwhile, bipartisan members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus have condemned any coercive practices, labeling the forced removal of civilians a war crime. As the truce holds, diplomatic tensions remain high, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov scheduled to attend the G20 meeting in Atlanta, further complicating the geopolitical landscape as Kyiv seeks to secure its interests in future negotiations.