Escape from Oleshky — 12 people reached Ukraine-controlled territory in September, official says
In recent weeks, some residents have started walking out of Oleshky to the neighboring village of Radensk alone or in pairs, on roads mined by Russian forces.
Twelve individuals have successfully crossed into Ukraine-controlled territory from Oleshky, a city currently under Russian occupation, according to Tetiana Hasanenko, the exiled head of the Oleshky City Military Administration. Oleshky, situated in the Kherson Oblast, has been under Russian control since the inception of the full-scale invasion.
The city now grapples with severe shortages of essential resources such as food, water, and electricity, compounded by mined roads, persistent drone attacks, and interrogations by Russian troops at checkpoints. Earlier this year, evacuation volunteers managed to facilitate evacuations from Oleshky to other parts of Kherson Oblast or Ukraine-controlled regions, despite the arduous multi-day journey through Russia and Belarus.
However, the risk of Russian attacks and landmines has rendered organized evacuations impractical. In recent weeks, some residents have opted to traverse the mine-laden roads to the neighboring village of Radensk, either alone or in pairs, with many returning to Radensk for sustenance and subsequently returning to Oleshky. Most of those who fled Oleshky in September have remained in the occupied territory.
Some lack proper documentation and were compelled to return due to familial obligations or the inability to navigate minefields accompanied by children. Earlier this month, four individuals attempting to escape Oleshky were injured when a landmine detonated, while a man collecting nuts was killed by another mine. These incidents occurred along the routes used by civilians seeking to flee the town.
Hasanenko previously disclosed that four people were injured by a mine and a man died when another mine struck. These occurrences transpired along the pathways utilized by civilians attempting to leave Oleshky. The local hospital, operating with minimal medical supplies, electricity, and running water, is grappling with the inability to provide adequate care.
Despite the presence of four elderly doctors, the facility is unable to administer any medication. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has reported that approximately 2,000 individuals, including around 50 children, are still trapped in the occupied town, enduring extreme limitations in access to vital necessities. Russian forces impede both Ukrainian authorities and humanitarian organizations from delivering aid to the occupied territories.
Oleshky is positioned on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, merely 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away from the regional capital, Kherson.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
