‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky
Residents remaining in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky are facing a humanitarian crisis, with reports of starvation and lack of basic supplies. Ukrainian officials are calling for urgent evacuations, accusing Russia of deliberately creating unlivable conditions.
Why it matters
The report highlights the severe human cost of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the plight of civilians trapped in occupied territories.
Oleshky was once home to 24,000 people but only 2,000 or so remain. Photograph: Ukraine 34th Marine Brigade Oleshky was once home to 24,000 people but only 2,000 or so remain. Photograph: Ukraine 34th Marine Brigade Ukraine ‘Hell on earth’: last residents eat weeds to survive in Russian-occupied Oleshky Supplies cut off from Ukrainian city where bodies are being left to be eaten by dogs because of deadly risk from drones
Prefer the Guardian on Google The phone message sent out of Russian-occupied Oleshky was grimly matter of fact: food for the 2,000 or so civilians still remaining in the city and its surrounding villages had finally run out.
“We’re in Oleshky [and] we can’t get out. We’re going hungry … Right now, I’ve got absolutely nothing to eat,” read the message, from a woman in the besieged city, who was waiting to be evacuated by the occupying forces.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in