Residents who left Oleshky reported cases of people dying of starvation

The humanitarian situation in the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region is critical—there is almost no food left in the town, and people are surviving by cooking purslane from their own gardens. According to reports, there have already been cases of starvation.

Journalist Oleg Baturin described the situation after speaking with residents of Oleshky who were among the last to leave the city this year. They are still in touch with acquaintances who remain under occupation.

According to the journalist’s sources, the local market has all but disappeared. It’s practically impossible to buy food there—it can only be bartered. People are gathering purslane from their gardens, cooking it, and eating it.

“Things are getting worse and worse in Oleshky. There have already been cases of people starving to death. The ‘market,’ where it’s almost impossible to buy anything—only to trade for it—has all but disappeared as well. People are picking purslane from their gardens, cooking it, and eating it,” the residents said.

They also reported that they stay home almost all the time out of fear of going outside. Cell service in the city is very poor and is restored only occasionally.

However, Baturin’s sources did not confirm reports that people are eating dogs or rats. The journalist noted that due to the destroyed infrastructure, mined roads, the danger of shelling, and the lack of communication, residents may not know what is happening in other parts of the city.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga also spoke out about the critical humanitarian situation in Oleshky. He called on the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other international organizations to secure access to the city for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safe evacuation of civilians.

According to him, Oleshky lacks not only food but also medicine, clean water, electricity, and medical care. Children are also caught up in these conditions.

Oleshky was occupied by Russia in the early days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city is located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, which currently serves as a natural barrier between the liberated and occupied parts of the Kherson region.

Ірина Глухова