Food supplies have reportedly run out for around 2,000 civilians remaining in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Ukraine, with residents describing hunger, danger from drones and bodies left uncollected.
Key facts
- About 2,000 civilians are said to remain in Oleshky and its surrounding villages.
- A message from a woman in the city reported that food had 'finally run out'.
- Residents describe having nothing to eat while waiting to be evacuated by occupying forces.
- The Guardian reports bodies are being left in the streets, with deadly risk from drones cited.
- Supplies have been cut off from the besieged city.
Civilians still living in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky are reportedly going hungry after food supplies ran out, according to the Guardian. A phone message sent out of the besieged city described the situation in stark terms, saying food for the roughly 2,000 civilians remaining in Oleshky and its surrounding villages had finally been exhausted.
“We’re in Oleshky [and] we can’t get out. We’re going hungry … Right now, I’ve got absolutely nothing to eat,” read the message, according to the Guardian. The message was said to have come from a woman in the city who was waiting to be evacuated by the occupying forces.
The Guardian reports that supplies have been cut off from the city, leaving those who remain without access to food. The situation has left civilians relying on whatever they can find, with the report noting that some are eating weeds in an effort to survive.
The report also describes deadly conditions in the city, with bodies being left in the streets because of the risk posed by drones. According to the Guardian, the danger from drones has made it difficult to recover the dead, with some bodies being eaten by dogs.
The circumstances described point to the severe humanitarian toll faced by those who have been unable or unwilling to leave the occupied city. Those still present are said to be awaiting evacuation by the occupying forces, underscoring how limited their options for escape have become.
Why it matters
The reported conditions in Oleshky highlight the extreme humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine for civilians trapped in occupied territory. Cut off from supplies and facing danger from drones, the roughly 2,000 remaining residents have few options, illustrating the toll of prolonged conflict on those unable to flee.
Frequently asked questions
How many people are still living in Oleshky?
According to the Guardian, around 2,000 civilians remain in Oleshky and its surrounding villages.
Why are residents going hungry?
The Guardian reports that supplies have been cut off from the city and food for the remaining civilians has run out, leaving some with nothing to eat.
Why are bodies reportedly being left in the streets?
The Guardian reports that a deadly risk from drones has made it dangerous to recover bodies, with some being left and eaten by dogs.