Oleshky is facing a humanitarian crisis, with Ukraine urging Russia to open evacuation corridors
The city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast has been without food supplies for a month, plunging into famine. Ukraine is calling on Russia to establish humanitarian evacuation routes. Currently, only about 2,000 residents remain in the city—including 50 children—down from a pre-war population of 24,000. The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station dam and Antonov Bridge have been destroyed, roads out of town are heavily mined, making evacuation extremely difficult. Electricity, water, and heating services have ceased, and access to clean drinking water is severely limited.
There have been frequent casualties locally, hospital fuel reserves are nearly exhausted, complex surgeries can no longer be performed, and medical supplies are critically scarce. Food shortages began as early as January–February this year, and famine fully erupted in March. After a batch of supplies arrived on May 4th, the supply line was cut off again.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using civilians as human shields and considers such actions war crimes. It demands that humanitarian corridors be monitored by international organizations such as the United Nations and the Red Cross. Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner has described the situation as a humanitarian disaster. The Red Cross has prepared evacuation vehicles, and Ukraine is awaiting confirmation from Russia regarding a temporary ceasefire to initiate the evacuation of people.
Moreover, the overall living conditions and security situation across Kherson Oblast are dire. The region's population has dropped from 500,000 before the war to just 150,000 today. In the regional capital, Kherson, approximately 60,000 residents remain, enduring daily artillery fire and drone attacks.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867340723299404/
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