‘The blockade is complete’: Locals flee occupied south Ukraine as hunger deepens
Residents in Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian occupation, are struggling to survive due to a severe lack of food and water. The town has been cut off from supplies since late May, leading to widespread hunger and reports of people eating garden weeds, dogs, and grass to survive. The situation has been described as 'hell on earth' and 'catastrophic'.
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- ✓ Oleshky has received no food supplies since late May
- ✓ Residents have resorted to eating garden weeds, dogs, and grass to survive
- ✓ The situation in Oleshky has been described as 'hell on earth' and 'catastrophic'
- ✓ Cases of people starving to death have been reported in occupied Oleshky
What changed
Reports of starvation deaths and increased desperation among residents have emerged, highlighting the worsening humanitarian situation in Oleshky.
Live updates
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Hunger deepens in occupied Oleshky, Ukraine
Residents in Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian occupation, are struggling to survive due to a severe lack of food and water. The town has been cut off from supplies since late May, leading to widespread hunger and reports of people eating garden weeds, dogs, and grass to survive. The situation has been described as 'hell on earth' and 'catastrophic'.
Why it matters
The ongoing Russian occupation and blockade of Oleshky have led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with residents facing extreme hunger and shortages of medication. The town's situation is a result of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has caused significant disruptions to food and supply chains.
What is confirmed
- Oleshky has received no food supplies since late May
- Residents have resorted to eating garden weeds, dogs, and grass to survive
- The situation in Oleshky has been described as 'hell on earth' and 'catastrophic'
- Cases of people starving to death have been reported in occupied Oleshky
Still unconfirmed
- People are being 'constantly shelled' in Oleshky
What to watch next
- Further reports of casualties or deaths due to starvation or shelling
- International response or aid efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis
- Escalation of the conflict in the region
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (18)
- BBC — Oleshky: Eating garden weeds to survive in Russian-occupied city cut off from food and water
- dw.com — Famine threatens Ukrainian town of Oleshky as Russia's war cuts residents off from food and supplies
- osvnews.com — Pope, other world faith leaders urged to save starving Ukrainian victims of Russian blockade
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — ‘The blockade is complete’: Locals flee occupied south Ukraine as hunger deepens
- Ukrainian World Congress — UWC President urges world not to look away from hunger in occupied Oleshky
- abcnews.com — 'Like a horror movie': Ukraine's Oleshky faces 'catastrophe' under Russian occupation
- Українська правда — Oleshky has received no food supplies since late May and residents have resorted to eating dogs
- coe.int — Ukraine: The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Oleshky demands attention and action
- The Kyiv Independent — 'Nothing left to eat' —Sybiha urges partners to act on Oleshky humanitarian crisis
- Українська правда — Ukraine sounds alarm over situation in Oleshky, where people are eating grass due to hunger
- The Kyiv Independent — News from occupied Ukraine: Oleshky crisis continues, Europe's human rights chief calls for 'immediate local ceasefire'
- Ukrinform — Cases of people starving to death reported in occupied Oleshky — journalist
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