Sybiga warned of the consequences of the Russian occupation, citing Oleshky as an example

In the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, civilians have been left without access to food, medicine, and other basic necessities. Ukraine is calling on its international partners to ensure access to the town and establish humanitarian corridors.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga made this statement on the social media platform X.

Sybiga thanked historian and journalist Anne Applebaum for drawing attention to the situation in Oleshky. According to him, Russia is effectively holding the city’s civilian population hostage without access to necessary aid.

“In the heart of Europe in 2026, people are suffering from a humanitarian crisis caused by Russia,” the minister wrote.

According to Sibiga, Ukraine is working with partners and relevant international organizations, calling for joint action to immediately ensure access to Oleshky and surrounding areas, as well as to establish humanitarian corridors.

The foreign minister emphasized that the situation in Oleshky should serve as a reminder of the consequences of the occupation for the civilian population.

“These aren’t just lines on a map at the negotiating table. Real people live there, and their daily lives are dictated by the occupying authorities, who have already demonstrated how they treat Ukrainians under their control,” Sibiga noted.

He also stated that the situation in Oleshky serves as a warning against normalizing the Russian occupation. In his view, any serious discussion of peace must take into account the people whose lives and fundamental rights are under threat.

Earlier, Applebaum stated that people are dying of starvation in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.

Recently,on her Facebook page,American journalistZarina Zabriskiepublished the testimony of a local resident who claimed that the food shortage had reached a critical level. For breakfast, six people share half a liter of goat’s milk diluted with water, and for lunch, they each get three hard-boiled eggs and two zucchini fritters. Sources say there is virtually no flour, grains, or other staple foods.

Locals also report that Russian troops are confiscating anyfood supplies they find in the possession of civilians. According to our sources, the occupiers themselves are facing food shortages. In particular, when residents planted potatoes, the military spotted them from a drone and subsequently confiscated the harvest.

In addition, sources claim that Russian troops are hunting dogs and using them as food.

Андрій Колісніченко