Pina Picierno’s Hunger Strike Highlights Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Oleshky
Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, has started a hunger strike to draw international attention to the severe humanitarian emergency in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson region. She is urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that would allow the delivery of essential supplies such as food and medicine, as well as the safe evacuation of civilians trapped in the area. Thousands of residents face life-threatening shortages of basic necessities including clean water, electricity, and medical care.
Picierno emphasized the vulnerability of civilians, including children, who remain without crucial resources.
“Those left behind risk starving to death, while those trying to escape face grave danger. To raise global awareness of this urgent crisis, I have chosen to begin a hunger strike,”she said. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also confirmed the critical humanitarian conditions in Oleshky, appealing to the UN, International Committee of the Red Cross, and other organizations to ensure humanitarian access and safe evacuations.
The Situation on the Ground in Oleshky
Since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleshky has been under Russian control, with around 2,000 residents living under strict occupation since April 2026. The surrounding minefields severely restrict movement, while humanitarian aid from Ukrainian forces is increasingly scarce. On October 4, the 11th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade named after Mykhailo Hrushevskyi and the 34th Kherson National Guard Regiment successfully delivered nearly 4 tons of aid to the city for the second time. Another mission on October 20 brought almost 2 tons of food and medical supplies.
Picierno calls for an immediate humanitarian truce to guarantee continuous aid and allow safe departure for those wishing to leave Oleshky.
“The people of Oleshky must not be abandoned. It is time for collective action so diplomacy can produce tangible results and no one is left to die in silence,”she stressed. On October 19, Ukraine and Russia moved closer to finalizing arrangements for evacuating civilians from the occupied Oleshky community, marking a crucial step toward resolving the crisis.
This ongoing situation in Oleshky, alongside the proactive efforts of international figures like Pina Picierno, underscores the urgent need for global intervention. The isolated residents require not only domestic support but also sustained international engagement to meet their basic needs and ensure their safety.
- Thousands of people in Oleshky lack access to food and medical supplies.
- Humanitarian deliveries are increasingly rare due to occupation restrictions.
- Pina Picierno’s hunger strike aims to spotlight this critical emergency.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Oleshky is not isolated, as similar alarming situations are being highlighted globally. For instance, recent protests in Tokyo, where activists displayed empty plates, aimed to draw attention to the dire conditions faced by civilians in Oleshky. These events underscore the urgent need for international support and awareness regarding the humanitarian plight in occupied regions. To explore more about these impactful actions, read about the empty plates movement in Tokyo.