The Crisis in Oleshky
The International Committee of the Red Cross is striving to assess the true conditions in the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky, located in the Kherson region. The town is experiencing severe isolation, with reports emerging of an acute food shortage and instances of starvation. The situation worsened in late December 2025, when food deliveries essentially ceased. According to the publication Glavcom, the Red Cross is in discussions with authorities on both sides to obtain more detailed information about the humanitarian needs of the population.
Humanitarian Needs and Dangers
At present, Oleshky faces a complete lack of food supplies. The occupying authorities are not providing regular food shipments, and prices in the few remaining shops are unaffordable for most residents. There are also reports of elderly individuals living alone and people with limited mobility who have been left without any means of survival. The shortage of drinking water and medicines, driven by disrupted infrastructure and a ban on Ukrainian humanitarian aid, is further worsening the epidemiological situation in the area.
The Red Cross operates a program for the safe cross-border movement of civilians, helping vulnerable individuals reunite with their families on both sides of the front line. However, the roads around Oleshky are mined by the occupiers, and those attempting to deliver bread or medicine become targets for drone attacks. In light of this, the International Committee of the Red Cross is aware of the reports being published about the situation in Oleshky.
“Currently, the Red Cross is conducting negotiations with the relevant authorities on both sides to obtain more detailed information about the situation in Oleshky and the humanitarian needs of the civilian population,” said Red Cross representatives.
The situation in Oleshky highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, triggered by military actions. The lack of access to basic necessities like food and water endangers the lives of many residents, especially vulnerable groups. The Red Cross’s efforts could prove critical in improving the humanitarian conditions, but without adequate security and access to the area, their impact may remain limited.
The dire situation in Oleshky is further highlighted by reports of a deepening humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children. For a closer look at the alarming impact of starvation on the local population, including tragic accounts of young victims, see our detailed coverage of the ongoing struggles faced by residents in this occupied city here.