Oleshky humanitarian crisis: starvation and death in city

How has the blockade affected food and water security in Oleshky?

The population of Oleshky is currently living under a complete blockade of essential supplies, leading to widespread starvation. Residents report that the last formal food delivery to the city occurred in May, leaving the community to rely on dwindling personal stores and increasingly desperate measures. Many inhabitants are forced to consume garden weeds as their vegetable supplies have been exhausted.

Survival in the city has become a matter of extreme scarcity. Some residents report eating only once a day, often consisting of minimal amounts of bread, honey, or tea. Local communication via Telegram messaging apps has become a vital tool for the community, with residents using these platforms to discuss which weeds are safe to consume and to coordinate the swapping or sharing of meager food portions.

The collapse of basic infrastructure

The lack of resources is compounded by a total absence of basic utilities. Since the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in 2023, the city has been without electricity, gas, or running water. This infrastructure collapse has rendered standard hygiene and cooking methods impossible, further deteriorating the health of the remaining population.

What is the impact of the Kakhovka dam destruction on Oleshky?

The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam in 2023 remains a defining factor in the current humanitarian disaster. The flooding caused massive displacement, with buildings being submerged up to their rooftops. While Ukraine and NATO have accused Russia of destroying the dam, Russia has attributed the incident to Ukraine. Regardless of the cause, the environmental and structural consequences for Oleshky have been permanent.

The dam's destruction fundamentally altered the city's ability to sustain life. Beyond the immediate flooding, the loss of the dam led to the systemic failure of the region's water and energy networks. For the thousands of people who lost their homes during the flood, the subsequent Russian occupation has left them trapped in a landscape that is both physically ruined and strategically isolated between the Dnipro River and Russian military positions.

Why are civilian casualties rising in the city?

Civilian deaths in Oleshky are being driven by a combination of direct military action and the inability to access life-saving resources. Reports indicate that residents are frequently killed by drone strikes, particularly when attempting to travel between towns to source food. A recent incident involved a husband and wife being killed by a drone while returning from the neighbouring town of Radensk with a bag of food.

The scale of the loss of life is difficult to quantify precisely due to the dangers of the occupation. While the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has recorded at least 29 civilian deaths and 54 injuries in the Oleshky and Hola Prystan areas this year, local volunteers suggest the actual figures are significantly higher. One volunteer, Ksenia Arkhipova, has been documenting casualties in a spreadsheet, noting that her list of approximately 1,200 deceased individuals grows daily due to drone strikes and landmines.

The danger of the 'Road of Death'

Movement outside the city is extremely hazardous. Residents attempting to find supplies must navigate mined roads, a route often referred to as the 'Road of Death.' The combination of active shelling, drone surveillance, and landmines has made even short trips for food a potentially fatal undertaking.

How is the medical situation being managed in Oleshky?

Medical services in the city have almost entirely collapsed, with only one hospital remaining partially operational. This facility operates only a few days a week and is primarily limited to performing critical surgical procedures, such as amputations. There is a profound lack of medicine, hygiene products, and general healthcare for the estimated 200 children remaining in the area.

The medical crisis is exacerbated by the restrictions placed on handling the deceased. According to residents, Russian occupation authorities have restricted the burial of those killed by drones or landmines, demanding post-mortem examinations by Russian doctors that are impossible to facilitate in the current environment. This has led to a horrific situation where bodies have remained on the streets for months or are accumulating in unpowered hospital morgues.

Psychological pressure through neglect

Humanitarian workers suggest that the restrictions on burying the dead serve a tactical purpose. Ester Vrataryova, co-founder of the charity Humanity, has described these conditions as a tool of psychological pressure, noting that attempting to follow traditional burial rites can place residents at immediate risk of further violence.

What is the international response to the blockade?

The Ukrainian government has actively sought international intervention to break the blockade. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the situation in Oleshky as a full blockade and called on the global community to pressure Russia to allow humanitarian aid into the territory. While the Kremlin has acknowledged a "critical situation" regarding food and medicine, it has blamed Kyiv for the shortages and claimed its military is working to resolve the issues.

Frequently asked questions

How many people live in Oleshky now?

The Ukrainian government estimates that approximately 6,000 people remain in Oleshky and its surrounding areas. This is a significant decrease from the pre-invasion population of 24,000 people. The remaining population includes roughly 200 children who are facing severe malnutrition.

Can humanitarian aid reach the city?

Currently, successful humanitarian deliveries have been extremely limited. While Ukraine has attempted to deliver supplies, these efforts have not seen consistent success in recent months. The city is effectively under a blockade by Russian forces, preventing the regular flow of food and medicine.

What are the primary causes of death in Oleshky?

Deaths are caused by direct military strikes, such as drone attacks and shelling, as well as landmines. Additionally, the lack of food, clean water, and medical services contributes to the mortality rate among the trapped civilian population.

Why are burials being restricted?

Russian occupation authorities require post-mortem examinations by Russian doctors before burials can occur. Because these examinations are not possible in the city, many residents are prevented from burying those killed by drones or mines, leading to bodies remaining in streets or unpowered morgues.

Is there any electricity or water in the city?

No, the city has been without electricity, gas, or running water since the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023. This lack of infrastructure makes basic survival and hygiene nearly impossible for the remaining residents.