Oleshky faces humanitarian crisis as residents risk lives for food

Halia: Halia is a resident of Russian-occupied Oleshky whose real name has been changed for safety. She shares personal accounts of surviving on limited food, facing constant shelling, and coping with the absence of essential services. Her testimony in the news illustrates the daily struggles of those remaining in the city. Oleshky: Oleshky is a city in Ukraine's southern Kherson region that has been under Russian occupation since 2022. It lies along the Dnipro River and has faced repeated shelling, supply disruptions, and infrastructure damage from the Kakhovka dam collapse. The news highlights its role as the site of a severe humanitarian crisis where civilians risk their lives daily for basic needs. Tetiana: Tetiana is a resident of Oleshky whose name has been changed for safety. She lost both parents to violence in the city during the summer and provided details to verify their identities. Her story in the news underscores the risks to civilians and restrictions on burials imposed by occupation authorities. Andriy Sybiha: Andriy Sybiha is Ukraine's Foreign Minister. He addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, urging international action to allow humanitarian aid into occupied areas. In the news, he describes the situation in Oleshky as a full blockade imposed by Russian forces. Ksenia Arkhipova: Ksenia Arkhipova is a volunteer who escaped Oleshky in 2022 and continues to support aid deliveries, evacuations, and casualty tracking for the area. She maintains detailed records of deaths reported by locals and facilitates support efforts. The news features her accounts of the growing number of fatalities and challenges in documenting them under occupation. Civilian Hardships: Accounts from the area detail ongoing risks from shelling, drones, and landmines, alongside severe shortages that force residents to seek food from distant locations or rely on foraging. International Appeal: Ukraine's Foreign Minister called on the global community at the UN General Assembly to pressure Russia into permitting humanitarian aid deliveries to the occupied city. Occupation and Blockade: Residents in Oleshky live under Russian-imposed restrictions that limit movement, supplies, and access to services, with the city described as facing a critical humanitarian situation.