The situation regarding food and medicines is critical in the occupied town of Oleshky

OLESHKY, PHOTO: 34TH SEPARATE MARINE BRIGADE ‘BORYSFEN’

The humanitarian situation in the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region is critical — the town has almost no food, medicines, clean water, electricity or medical care.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

According to him, some civilians, including children, are forced to survive by eating grass and weeds. The Foreign Minister blamed the humanitarian disaster on the Russian troops who have occupied the town.

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Sybiga called on the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international partners to secure humanitarian access for the delivery of aid and to ensure the safe evacuation of the civilian population.

What is happening in occupied Oleshky

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since the start of the full-scale invasion. The town is situated on the left bank of the Kherson region, close to the front line, meaning civilians are constantly under threat from shelling and drone attacks. In 2023, the town suffered severe flooding after the Russians blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. Due to damage to the infrastructure, residents were left without proper access to utilities.

In 2026, the humanitarian situation in Oleshky deteriorated. The town has no stable electricity or gas supply, and people are struggling to access food, medicines and drinking water. At present, people are subsisting on the remains of their own supplies and garden produce, whilst food is being sold or bartered. Residents are also effectively prevented from leaving the occupied town. The Ukrainian military has attempted to deliver food and medicines to the residents of Oleshky using large drones.

The Ukrainian side has also repeatedly attempted to organise the evacuation of civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to the people. However, due to the hostilities and the actions of the Russian military, these attempts remain extremely difficult.

Residents have repeatedly described what life is like under occupation. People are subsisting on the remnants of their own supplies and garden produce, whilst food is sold or bartered.

Prominent figures have appealed to the world regarding the critical situation in Oleshky. In particular, Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliinikova, following her victory over the American Vivian Wolf in the first round of the WTA 500 tournament in Singapore, called for attention to be drawn to Oleshky.

German designer and stylist Frank Peter Wilde also posted a photo on social media dedicated to the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky.

It should be noted that the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has reported a sharp deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. According to him, civilians are being left without sufficient food, medicines, medical care, water and electricity.