Around 2,000 civilians, including about 50 children, remain trapped in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky after food supplies were cut off, with residents reporting that they have been forced to survive on vegetables and edible weeds.
Oleshky, across the Dnipro River from Kherson, was home to about 24,000 people before the war. Residents now describe severe shortages of food, water and basic services, while damaged infrastructure and continuing drone activity have made movement and evacuation extremely dangerous.
Ukrainian military authorities in Kherson carried out an emergency operation to airdrop about four tonnes of food, water and medical supplies to 100 locations in and around the city. However, officials said it remained unclear how much of the aid reached civilians.
Residents have reportedly been reduced to eating one meal a day, including soup made from courgettes and foraged purslane. Some have also searched damaged cellars for preserved food.
Ukrainian officials have called for the evacuation of civilians and accused Russian forces of obstructing humanitarian assistance. Russia has acknowledged the critical situation but has accused Ukraine of blocking supplies.
The worsening conditions have raised concerns over a wider humanitarian crisis in the occupied city as winter approaches.
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