Brief
Oleshky civilians face starvation as Russian forces halt aid
A phone message from Oleshky reveals that 2,000 residents are left with only one meal a day as Russian forces block supplies.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A phone message from a woman in Russian‑occupied Oleshky, dated 27 September, described a dire food shortage for the roughly 2,000 civilians still living in the city and its surrounding villages. The woman, who had once weighed 110 kg, now weighs 67 kg and says she has “nothing to eat” as food supplies have run out.
She added that the house where they stayed last winter was destroyed and that they are “still alive” but “running out of everything.” Residents have been forced to eat soup made from courgette grown in abandoned flower boxes and foraged purslane, an edible weed.
International reaction
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha raised the situation at the United Nations General Assembly, warning of a “humanitarian catastrophe” and accusing Russia of deliberately starving the population. He called for an immediate evacuation, saying Russia was the “only obstacle.”
Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged a “critical situation” but blamed Ukrainian forces for blocking humanitarian supplies. He noted that until May food had been getting through, but since then the expansion of minefields and drone cover by the occupying forces has halted the trickle of aid.
Impact on the war effort
Ukraine’s successful summer drone campaign against Russian supply lines has also caused shortages for Russian frontline troops, who have reportedly taken what little food civilians have managed to save. The situation has been described by residents as “hell on earth.”
Earlier this month, Russian forces carried out a series of drone and missile attacks that killed eight civilians across Ukraine, including in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odesa, as reported by Felo News on 24 September.
Local context
Oleshky lies across the Dnipro River from the southern city of Kherson and once had a population of 24,000. The city has become a focal point for humanitarian concerns amid the broader conflict.
Key facts
- Approximately 2,000 civilians remain in Oleshky and its surrounding villages (theguardian.com)
- Residents are limited to one meal a day, often soup made from courgette and purslane (theguardian.com)
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the situation a humanitarian catastrophe at the UN General Assembly (theguardian.com)
- Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the critical situation was caused by Ukrainian forces blocking aid (theguardian.com)
- Since May, Russian expansion of minefields and drone cover has halted food supplies to Oleshky (theguardian.com)
Background
Felo News previously reported on Russian attacks killing civilians across Ukraine, including a 24 September strike that killed eight civilians in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odesa.
Why it matters
The blockade of humanitarian aid in Oleshky threatens the survival of thousands of civilians and escalates the humanitarian crisis amid the ongoing war.
What happens next
Ukrainian officials have called for immediate evacuation; Russian forces have not yet responded to the UN appeal.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky”
