Oleshky blockade: residents flee hunger in occupied Ukraine
Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian occupation since 2022, has become a humanitarian crisis as residents starve and flee through a war‑torn, mined corridor. Local officials and volunteers describe a complete blockade, relentless drone strikes, and a desperate exodus toward the Black Sea, with f…
By Felo News Desk · Published
The southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky, which fell under Russian control in 2022, has been described by residents and aid workers as a "hell on earth". Thousands of its former 40,000 inhabitants are now reduced to a few thousand, with only about 2,000 remaining in the city itself. The town sits on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, directly opposite the Ukrainian‑held city of Kherson, and has become a frontline between the two sides.
Living under a complete blockade
Ukrainian officials from the western side of the river, such as Tetiana Hasanenko, the head of the Oleshky Military Administration, report that the population has collapsed to a fraction of its pre‑war numbers. The blockade has cut off food, medicine and basic supplies, leaving residents to ration what little remains. Messages from locals describe endless drone attacks, fires, and a sense that survival is no longer possible even for the winter.
Volunteers like Kseniia Arkhipova, who coordinates escape routes from the Ukrainian‑controlled side, say that a recent collapse of food supplies sparked a new wave of evacuees. In September, a convoy heading into Oleshky was attacked, a move blamed by Kyiv on Russian troops and by Moscow on Ukrainian forces. Arkhipova recounts that the convoy was blown up, its drivers shot, and drones then targeted the vehicles, forcing the survivors to walk 100 kilometres on foot.
The treacherous escape route
To leave, residents must first reach Radensk, a village 14 miles east of Oleshky deeper into Russian‑held territory. The route, dubbed the "road of death," is littered with mines, drones and Russian checkpoints. Those who make it to Radensk may find food and temporary shelter, but the roads remain dangerous. Arkhipova notes that some evacuees are aided by Russian volunteers who purchase train tickets and accompany them, a journey that can cost up to $500 per person.
Along the way, many lose identity documents in the flames of war or in the flooding that followed the 2023 Kakhovka dam breach. At checkpoints, evacuees face interrogation and possible detention; one woman was questioned for four hours over her missing passport. The danger extends beyond the mines: Russian soldiers reportedly loot homes, evict residents, and leave corpses on the streets, which are then scavenged by dogs.
Humanitarian aid stalled by occupation forces
Despite efforts by Ukrainian officials and international bodies, humanitarian convoys are blocked. Arkhipova says that the only relief has come from a letter‑writing campaign that pressured Russian forces to clear some roads, allowing limited supplies to reach Oleshky. Yet the town’s hospital, already without electricity for four years, is on the brink of collapse, with no fuel or medicine left. Ukrainian military spokesperson Pavlo Drogal reports that the 30th Marine Corps monitors the left bank via drones, noting a severe shortage of drinking water, electricity and food.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has raised the crisis at the United Nations, calling it a humanitarian catastrophe and demanding immediate evacuation. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the critical situation but blamed Ukrainian forces for blocking aid. Local officials, including deputy head Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, accuse Russian troops of using civilians as target practice for drones and of deliberately starving the population.
What happens next?
Arkhipova estimates that 300 people are waiting to evacuate, with 47 already left in September. She stresses that any relief effort must include demining, a halt to shelling, and a convoy of humanitarian buses. However, she expresses little hope for a breakthrough, citing the lack of action from international bodies and NGOs. Some residents, she says, are unwilling to leave, preferring to stay and risk death in their homes.
Until the blockade is lifted and aid can reach Oleshky, the town remains a stark reminder of the war’s toll on civilians. The international community faces a critical decision: intervene to break the blockade or risk further suffering for thousands trapped on the Dnipro’s left bank.
Key facts
- Oleshky’s population fell from 40,000 to about 6,000 under blockade
- Residents face starvation, drone attacks, and a mined escape route
- Humanitarian convoys are blocked by Russian forces
- Ukrainian and UN officials call for immediate evacuation
- Some locals refuse to leave, preferring to stay in their homes
Why it matters
The situation in Oleshky illustrates how occupation can turn a civilian population into a living human rights crisis, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main cause of the blockade in Oleshky?
Russian occupation forces have cut off food, medicine and other supplies, creating a complete blockade that forces residents to ration and flee.
How do residents escape the town?
They must travel through mined roads to Radensk and then further into Russian‑held territory, often paying up to $500 and facing checkpoints, drones, and mines.
Has any humanitarian aid reached Oleshky?
Limited aid has reached the town after a letter‑writing campaign pressured Russian forces to clear some roads, but the hospital and basic services are still on the brink of collapse.
Sources
- [1] news.yahoo.com — originally reported as “'The blockade is complete': Locals flee occupied south Ukraine as hunger deepens”
