Residents of Oleshky Face Famine Under Russian Occupation

Residents of Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in the Kherson region, are facing a severe humanitarian crisis with acute shortages of food, medicine, electricity, and running water. The population has dropped to fewer than 2,000 people, many of whom are trapped by mined roads, including a perilous route to Radensk known as the road of death.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government have accused Moscow of holding civilians hostage, while the Kremlin claims Ukraine is blocking essential supplies. To mitigate the famine, Ukraine's 34th Separate Marine Brigade has delivered over 7 tons of food and medical supplies via drones since September, though officials warn these amounts are insufficient for winter.

International pressure has mounted to resolve the crisis. Pope Leo XIV called on Vladimir Putin to establish a ceasefire to allow for evacuations and aid deliveries. While the Kremlin expressed a readiness to cooperate and the Moscow-appointed Governor of the Kherson region promised to help those wishing to leave, no formal agreement for a humanitarian corridor has been reached.