{
  "id": 15267582,
  "title": "Desperate civilians risk their lives along mined roads to escape from a Russian-held city",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/desperate-civilians-risk-their-lives-along-mined-roads-to-escape-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T19:27:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/desperate-civilians-risk-their-lives-along-mined-roads-to-escape-from-a-russian-held-city-101792265265819.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oleshky, a city once home to 24,000 people, now lies nearly deserted as the Russian military holds its inhabitants captive. Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months, with no electricity, heat or running water. Roads leading from town are mined and littered with burned-out cars. Trapped civilians, fearing for their lives, are risking their lives to escape via a road known as \"the road of death.\" One former hairdresser, now 40 years old, walked 20 kilometers along the partially mined road, fearing each step could be her last. The city was captured by Russian forces on the first day of their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and suffered further destruction in June 2023 when floodwaters inundated the area after the Kakhovka Dam collapsed, likely due to Russian military action. With winter approaching and no agreement in sight for humanitarian evacuation, the remaining residents face death by hunger or disease. Both sides blame each other for the catastrophe, with Russia alleging that Ukraine deliberately blocks supplies and evacuations, while Kyiv claims Russia is holding civilians hostage. Ukraine has repeatedly appealed for a local ceasefire to organize evacuations, but Russia, as the occupying power, has made no commitment. The U.N. human rights office reports that the last regular food delivery by road was May 26, and that the city hospital lacks medicine and basic supplies. Despite the dangers, some evacuees attempt to return to Oleshky with food for their families, while others remain, unwilling to risk a dangerous journey.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}