Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Ukraine Seeks UN Pressure Over Hunger in Russian-Occupied Oleshky
Oleshky is a town in Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.
Ukraine says thousands of people there lack enough food, medicine, and warmth.
About 200 children are among the residents reportedly affected.
Ukraine wants the United Nations to pressure Russia to let aid enter.
Ukraine also says residents should be allowed to leave safely.
A United Nations monitoring group says the town has faced shortages for months.
It says the local hospital lacks enough fuel and food.
Russia says the situation is serious but that its military is trying to help.
Ukraine will urge the United Nations to pressure Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky.
Ukraine says about 6,000 residents, including 200 children, face hunger and cold under a blockade.
The United Nations monitoring mission reports months of food shortages and extremely limited access to necessities.
An organized evacuation and possible local ceasefire have reportedly made no progress.
Russia acknowledges critical food and medicine shortages but says its military is addressing them.
- Who
- Ukraine, Russia, Oleshky residents, and United Nations monitors are involved.
- What
- Ukraine is seeking international pressure to secure humanitarian aid and evacuation access for Oleshky.
- When
- Ukraine announced the appeal during the United Nations General Assembly week beginning September 22; residents have reportedly faced shortages for months.
- Where
- Oleshky and nearby areas in Ukraine’s Kherson region, on the Dnipro River front line.
- Why
- Ukraine says Russian forces are blocking humanitarian aid and evacuation, while Russia says it is working to address critical shortages.
Ukraine and United Nations monitors
Russia
Humanitarian access
Ukraine and United Nations monitors
Ukraine says Russian forces are preventing humanitarian aid from entering Oleshky and wants international pressure to open access.
Russia
Russia acknowledges critical shortages but says its military is working to resolve the food and medicine problems.
Evacuation
Ukraine and United Nations monitors
Ukraine and United Nations monitors say there has been no progress on an organized evacuation or a local ceasefire to let civilians leave.
Russia
The report does not provide a Russian explanation for why evacuation discussions have stalled.
Conditions in Oleshky
Ukraine and United Nations monitors
Ukraine says residents are dying from hunger and cold, while United Nations monitors describe prolonged shortages and a struggling hospital.
Russia
Russia presents the situation as serious but says authorities are taking action to address it.
- Affected population
- About 6,000 residents of Oleshky and nearby areas, including 200 children
- Main shortages
- Food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessities
- Reported conditions
- Residents have faced months of food shortages and extremely limited access to basic necessities
- Hospital situation
- The local hospital reportedly lacks fuel for its generator and sufficient food for patients
- Evacuation status
- No progress has been reported on an organized evacuation discussed several months ago
- Ukraine’s appeal
- Ukraine plans to ask the United Nations and international community to pressure Russia to allow humanitarian access
- Russia’s position
- The Kremlin says the town faces critical food and medicine problems, while Russian forces are working to resolve them