Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Oleshky Residents Risk Deadly Roads Seeking Food
Oleshky is a town in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.
People there say food has become very hard to find, and deliveries stopped months ago.
Some residents walk or ride bicycles for hours to reach food and water.
The roads may have mines and are watched by attack drones, so the journeys are very dangerous.
People who stay also face shortages of water, power, heating, and medicine.
Ukraine says it offered a pause in fighting and safe routes for people to leave, but Russia rejected the proposal.
Russia says Ukraine is blocking supplies, while Ukraine says Russia is responsible for the crisis.
As winter approaches, residents fear they may run out of food.
Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky risk mines and drone attacks to travel for food and water.
The last food deliveries to a local store reportedly took place in May, after which supplies worsened.
About 1,700 people, including 47 children, remain in the town, which had a pre-war population of 24,000.
Residents report no stable power, water, or heating, and say food and medicine are running out.
Ukraine says Russia rejected a ceasefire and evacuation proposal; Russia blames Ukraine for obstructing supplies.
- Who
- Residents of Oleshky, including an estimated 47 children; Ukrainian and Russian officials also commented.
- What
- Residents face severe shortages and risk dangerous journeys to seek food and water.
- When
- Reported by Reuters on October 8; residents said supplies worsened after May.
- Where
- Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, and the route toward Radensk.
- Why
- Food deliveries have become unreliable or stopped, while access and travel are dangerous amid the war and occupation.
Ukraine’s account
Russia’s account
Responsibility for shortages
Ukraine’s account
Ukrainian officials say Russia bears responsibility for the humanitarian disaster in the occupied town.
Russia’s account
Russia acknowledges critical food and medical supply problems but blames Ukraine, saying it obstructs deliveries.
Access and evacuation
Ukraine’s account
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman said Kyiv offered a local ceasefire and evacuation routes, but Russia rejected the proposal.
Russia’s account
Russia’s account, as reported, says its military is working to resolve supply problems; the article reports no Russian response to requests for comment on the claims.
- Town
- Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region
- Estimated current population
- Around 1,700 residents, including 47 children, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine
- Pre-war population
- About 24,000
- Nearby destination for food
- Radensk, about 20 km (12.5 miles) southeast
- Last reported local-store deliveries
- Residents said the last food deliveries took place in May
- Reported living conditions
- No stable power, water, or heating; medicines are reported to be out of date
- Ukrainian evacuation proposal
- Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman said Kyiv offered a local ceasefire and evacuation routes, which Russia rejected