“The Most Terrifying Point On The Map”: Occupied Oleshky Faces Starvation Due To Russia’s Actions

Oleshky, a city in the Kherson region of Ukraine, has been under Russian occupation for four and a half years. Since the beginning of summer, all food and medicine deliveries to the settlement have been halted, leaving the residents without essential supplies. The website UATV English has reported on the dire situation, describing Oleshky as an area where the effects of war are shocking and terrifying.

The city is a ghost town, with destroyed buildings, minefields, and emaciated animals. Residents speak of starvation, with some saying there is only a week left before the vegetable season ends. The situation is described as a Holodomor, a man-made famine. The city's sole resident, Vladyslav, and his cat have lost their home to a fire.

The only way in or out of the city is blocked by Russian forces, who have been using civilians as human shields. The humanitarian situation in Oleshky is dire, with up to 3,000 residents remaining and no food or medicine being delivered since June. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on international partners to urgently provide humanitarian access and aid corridors to Oleshky, emphasizing that any peace talks must take into account the interests of the people living under Russian occupation.