Ukrainian officials have renewed calls for civilians to evacuate Oleshky, a town in the Russian-occupied part of southern Ukraine's Kherson region, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia is making aid deliveries and evacuations virtually impossible, leaving residents without reliable access to food, medicine, and other essentials.
Oleshky lies on the left bank of the Dnipro River, directly across from the regional capital, Kherson. The town has been under Russian occupation since the early months of the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. Ukrainian officials say that crossing the river to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory is extremely dangerous, and that Russian forces have restricted movement and blocked humanitarian convoys.
Officials have labeled Oleshky a 'death trap' and warn that conditions are deteriorating. They accuse Russia of deliberately creating a humanitarian crisis by preventing aid from reaching civilians and by making evacuation routes unsafe. The Ukrainian government continues to urge residents to leave if they can, while acknowledging the severe risks involved.
The situation in Oleshky reflects the broader humanitarian challenges in areas under Russian control, where access for international aid organizations remains limited. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called on Russia to allow safe passage for civilians and humanitarian assistance, but so far those appeals have not resulted in improved conditions.
