Winter Looms for Residents Trapped in Russian-Occupied Ukrainian City

Residents of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, situated on the Dnipro River in Ukraine, are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as winter approaches, with dwindling food and medical supplies and no electricity, heat, or running water.

The city, which once had a population of about 24,000, was captured by Russian forces on the first day of their full-scale invasion in 2022. Its infrastructure was heavily damaged by shelling, and further calamity struck in June 2023 when floodwaters inundated the city following the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam, an event an Associated Press investigation indicated was likely caused by the Russian military. Hundreds of residents reportedly died in the flooding.

Those who remain in Oleshky, now fewer than 2,000 people, are reportedly scrounging for food amidst destroyed buildings and growing vegetables in gardens. Water is drawn from wells, and firewood is used for warmth. The city's morgue is reportedly overflowing, with bodies decomposing due to a lack of electricity. The exiled head of the city's Ukrainian military administration stated that another 100 bodies are filling the basement of Oleshky's hospital.

Both Ukrainian and Russian officials blame each other for the dire situation. Ukraine asserts that Moscow is holding civilians hostage, while Russia claims Ukraine deliberately blocks supplies and evacuations. Ukraine has repeatedly appealed for a local ceasefire to organize evacuations, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted Oleshky's suffering, urging Russia to unblock the city.

Pope Leo XIV recently urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire to allow for aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. The Kremlin stated Putin expressed support for Vatican efforts and readiness to cooperate.

The United Nations human rights office reported that the last regular food delivery to Oleshky by road was on May 26. Russian-installed officials in the city claimed to have delivered 2 tons of aid this month, but acknowledged it was insufficient. The U.N. office also noted that the city's hospital lacks medicine and basic supplies, and drone attacks make it unsafe to transport patients to other locations.

A former hairdresser who fled Oleshky in August described the journey along what is known as “the road of death,” a partially mined route with burned-out cars. She recounted fearing for her life with every step. Another resident who fled to Russian-held Mariupol echoed the sentiment, stating, “It is impossible to live in Oleshky, there is no life left there.”

Tetiana Hasanenko, the exiled head of the city's Ukrainian military administration, described the route to the nearby village of Radensk as "the road of death" due to the presence of corpses. She cited an incident this month where an explosion killed four people and severely wounded an 86-year-old man.

Ukrainian forces have been air-dropping food aid into Oleshky since September, with more than 7 tons delivered. These aid packages, carried by drones capable of holding at least 20 kilograms, contain canned food, ingredients for baking, staples like buckwheat and rice, candy for children, and hygiene kits and medicine, including insulin. However, these supplies are intended to help residents gather strength to leave, rather than sustain them through the winter.

Discussions between Russia and Ukraine regarding a temporary ceasefire and humanitarian corridor have not resulted in an agreement, according to the U.N. human rights office. The office of the Ukrainian human rights commissioner stated that Russia has not provided clear, verifiable guarantees for conducting a humanitarian operation. The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed readiness to assist with an evacuation, contingent on agreement from both countries and security guarantees for civilians.