Residents of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky have told the BBC they are surviving on garden weeds after being cut off from food and water, and say the town is being constantly shelled.
Key facts
- Residents in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky say they are eating garden weeds to survive.
- The town has been cut off from food and water, according to those who spoke to the BBC.
- Residents told the BBC they are being 'constantly shelled'.
- The BBC reported the account on 23 September 2026.
Residents of Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian occupation, say they have been cut off from food and water and are resorting to eating garden weeds to survive, according to accounts gathered by the BBC.
The BBC reported that it had spoken directly to people living in the town. Those residents described conditions in which basic supplies were unavailable, forcing them to look for whatever food they could find.
According to the BBC, residents also said the town was being ‘constantly shelled’, indicating that the humanitarian situation is unfolding alongside ongoing military activity in the area.
Oleshky lies in the part of southern Ukraine that has been under Russian control, and the residents’ testimony offers a rare direct glimpse into daily life for civilians living in occupied territory.
The details reported by the BBC could not be independently verified in the source material provided, and the account rests on the testimony of the residents the broadcaster spoke to.
The reports underscore the difficulties civilians face in accessing food, water and safety in areas affected by the conflict, based on the accounts given to the BBC.
Why it matters
The accounts highlight the severe humanitarian conditions civilians can face in occupied areas cut off from basic supplies. Direct testimony from residents is rare and offers insight into the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
What are residents of Oleshky reportedly eating?
According to the BBC, residents say they are eating garden weeds to survive after being cut off from food and water.
Why are people in Oleshky cut off from supplies?
The BBC reported that the Russian-occupied town has been cut off from food and water, and residents said it is being constantly shelled. The source material does not provide further detail on the cause.
Who reported these accounts?
The BBC said it had spoken directly to residents in the town of Oleshky, publishing their accounts on 23 September 2026.