The city of Oleshky, located across the Dnipro River from Kherson in southern Ukraine, faces a severe humanitarian crisis with roughly 2,000 civilians, including 50 children, trapped without adequate food supplies. Residents have reported extreme weight loss and malnutrition, with some describing the conditions as “a hell on earth.” Communications from those remaining indicate they are subsisting on minimal meals consisting of vegetable soups and foraged edible weeds, as access to conventional food sources has been almost entirely cut off since May.
Ukrainian authorities have launched emergency response efforts to address the situation. This past weekend, military authorities in Kherson conducted a large-scale airdrop operation using drones to deliver approximately four tonnes of food, water, and medical supplies to around 100 distribution points throughout the city and surrounding villages. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha raised the matter at the UN General Assembly, characterizing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and calling for immediate evacuation. He attributed responsibility for the crisis to Russia, stating that occupying forces are deliberately making conditions impossible for civilians.
The blockade on food access intensified after May, when expanding minefields and increased drone surveillance by occupying forces halted supply convoys that had previously reached residents. According to Ukrainian officials, the situation deteriorated significantly from December onward, with vehicles attempting deliveries striking mines or becoming drone targets. Additionally, Russian troops have reportedly intercepted humanitarian aid deliveries and, in some cases, arrested civilians receiving supplies. A food convoy heading to the city was attacked on September 1, with each side blaming the other for the assault.
Russia has disputed the characterization of the humanitarian situation, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledging a “critical situation” while accusing Ukrainian forces of blocking supplies intended for residents. Ukrainian officials counter that Russia, as the occupying power, bears responsibility for providing essential goods and should permit international humanitarian operations. Officials also suggest that occupying forces may be deliberately delaying civilian evacuations to discourage Ukrainian military action in the area. Before the conflict, Oleshky was home to approximately 24,000 people.
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