The European Commission has issued a sharp statement urging Russia to immediately ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. The situation in the settlement has reached a critical point as the local population has been suffering from severe hunger and complete isolation for a long time. Brussels emphasized that the events unfolding in the city are horrifying, with civilians trapped in a de facto siege without food, clean water, or basic medications.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Obligations
According to Ukrainian and international sources, about 24,000 people lived in Oleshky before the full-scale invasion, while today around 2,000 residents, including about 50 children, remain in the occupied territory. The city completely lacks electricity and gas supplies, and over the past month, the delivery of food and essentials has been completely blocked. European officials reminded that Russia, as an occupying power, bears direct legal responsibility for protecting the civilian population and ensuring humanitarian assistance in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Contradictory Data
While official representatives of the European Commission and Ukrainian authorities report catastrophic hunger and local residents forced to survive on grass and weeds due to blocked evacuations and supplies by Russian troops, conflicting information has emerged. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian side is preparing a large-scale information campaign. The occupying structures have allegedly developed special guidelines and plan to shoot staged videos in which famine-stricken residents will be forced to testify about a supposedly prosperous humanitarian situation and discredit the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Aid Delivery Efforts and Actions of the AFU
Despite colossal risks, the Ukrainian military, in cooperation with the Kherson Regional Military Administration, makes regular attempts to support the people remaining in the city. Starting from March, targeted food deliveries have been carried out across the Dnipro River using drones. Recently, drones successfully delivered about 4 tons of products to 100 locations in Oleshky. Nevertheless, the Russian military actively counteracts these humanitarian missions by shooting down food-carrying drones or redistributing food for their own benefit.
International Reaction and Prospects
Ukraine continues to systematically raise the issue of the humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky at key international platforms. In particular, the situation was discussed in detail at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council held on October 1, 2026. The European Union, in turn, declares the readiness of humanitarian partners to immediately join the work as soon as a stable and safe corridor appears. However, at present, the Russian side continues to ignore international calls.
