Civilians in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky are facing a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by a total lack of food, clean water, and medical care. Residents, many of whom are elderly, report wasting away daily, with some stating they are cooking their last borscht
using meager ingredients like a single beet and five potatoes because carrots are unavailable, according to dnes.bg. One resident wrote this summer that they are already dying and weakening every day.
The crisis has left the population without electricity, gas, or heating. According to the city’s leader, Ms. Khasanenko, the last land-based food delivery occurred on May 26, after several drivers were killed. Drone footage and witness accounts show that the city, which once had over 20,000 residents as a thriving tourist destination, has become a hell.
A City Blockaded by Fire
Oleshky is situated on the southern front, separated from the city of Kherson by the Dnieper River. The city is trapped in a crossfire: Russian forces strike Kherson from Oleshky, while Ukrainian forces shell Oleshky from Kherson. This environment, combined with pervasive minefields and drone swarms, has made it nearly impossible for residents to leave or for aid to arrive.
Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets shared footage of civilians attempting to flee the city on foot, bicycles, and mopeds despite the risk of mines. He noted that these individuals are leaving without an organized evacuation because staying means living without basic necessities. Lubinets called on international partners to help, stating, Help us save them while there is still someone to save
.
Conflicting Claims of Responsibility
The Kremlin has acknowledged that a real humanitarian catastrophe
is occurring in Oleshky but blames Ukraine for the situation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called upon the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to establish a safe evacuation route, stating that aid should not be delivered under drone fire.
International Demands for Access
The European Union has called for humanitarian access and safe passage for the trapped population. Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, described the situation as horrifying
and stated that Russia, as the occupying power, has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and facilitate aid. Lahbib told Reuters that it is unacceptable
for civilians to be blocked under siege by Russian forces without access to basic care.
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