Residents Eating Garden Weeds in Russian-Occupied City Cut Off from Food and Water
BBC News Report
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"Two more civilians died last night," says Halia, before her phone connection cuts off. She is trapped in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which she describes as "constantly shelled" and without access to food and water.
Three days later, she reveals that the two fatalities were a husband and wife, whom she knew personally. They had ventured out from their home to fetch a bag of food from the neighboring town of Radensk (23km away) but couldn't return before the Russian-imposed curfew. They were killed by a drone. Four independent sources have confirmed these deaths on September 20th.
Halia, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, shares one of many harrowing accounts from Oleshky's residents.
Occupied by Russia since 2022, Oleshky is trapped between the Dnipro River and Russian forces, with thousands having lost their homes after the collapse of Nova Kakhovka Dam in 2023.
Prior to the invasion, the city housed around 24,000 people; currently, the Ukrainian government estimates only 6,000 remain, including 200 children.
City's Plight
Residents describe a dire situation:
- Malnutrition and lack of medical services among children.
- Limited access to education for those who stay.
- One partially operational hospital offering critical amputations only a few days a week.
Ukraine has attempted deliveries but hasn't succeeded in recent months. The Kremlin acknowledged the city's "critical situation" regarding food and medicine, blaming Kyiv, while Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha urged international pressure on Russia to allow humanitarian aid.
Inside Oleshky, Halia struggles daily for sustenance: "There is no food here... I eat once a day... sometimes with a tomato or honey." Many resort to cooking garden weeds after exhausting their summer vegetable supplies.