In the besieged city of Oleshky, southern Ukraine, residents are grappling with the grim reality of survival as they confront dwindling supplies and the constant threat of violence. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, many find themselves trapped, relying on volunteers and aid groups for essential provisions while navigating the perilous conditions of their surroundings.
A City Cut Off
Ludmilla, a pseudonym for a resident communicating from a rooftop of a fire-scarred building, captures the desperation of those still in Oleshky: “The road is mined. So, we’re stuck here. People are trying their best to survive.” The city, which has been under Russian control since the onset of the full-scale invasion, is largely isolated from fresh supplies of food and medicine. Reports suggest that the population, now roughly 2,000, has faced severe shortages for months, relying on foraged food from abandoned homes and sporadic deliveries facilitated by volunteers.
As winter set in, the dangers became obscured by snow, complicating evacuations and increasing the risk of landmines. With the snow now melted, residents remain acutely aware of the persistent threat, which has led to the area being dubbed “the Road of Death” due to the treacherous conditions.
The Perils of Departure
Attempts to leave Oleshky are fraught with peril. Volodymyr, a local man in his 50s, recounts the harrowing experience of fleeing the city: “Leaving Oleshky, everyone prayed to God that we wouldn’t hit a mine.” After witnessing the traumatic aftermath of a nearby shelling, his family decided to escape, ultimately being evacuated by volunteers in an ambulance. The journey, however, was terrifying, with the highway littered with burnt-out vehicles, some still containing the remains of their occupants.
Satellite imagery from November has revealed significant destruction along the evacuation routes, highlighting the scale of the conflict’s impact. Reports of military fortifications, including trench networks, indicate the area’s ongoing militarisation, with Russian forces reportedly hiding in structures throughout the city.
The Humanitarian Response
Ukrainian human rights officials have raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions, with Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, urging for a “humanitarian corridor” to facilitate safe evacuations. He accused Russian authorities of conducting what he termed “deliberate terrorism” against civilians. Conversely, the Russian Embassy in London has attributed the humanitarian crisis to “systematic strikes” by Ukrainian forces, complicating the narrative surrounding the ongoing conflict.
The International Red Cross is actively engaging with both sides in an effort to gather information and address the escalating humanitarian needs. The murky details surrounding the placement of landmines—whether by Ukrainian or Russian forces—add further complexity to the situation, with both sides exchanging blame for the civilian toll.
The Reluctance to Leave
While some residents express a desire to evacuate, many elderly individuals are hesitant to abandon their homes, often preferring familiar surroundings over the uncertainty of an unknown future. Hanna, another resident, described a poignant moment: she observed a 90-year-old woman acknowledging a drone overhead, seemingly resigned to her fate as she continued on her path. This illustrates the emotional weight of war, where the instinct for survival is often at odds with attachment to home.
Why it Matters
The situation in Oleshky exemplifies the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, where civilians are caught in a devastating conflict with few avenues for relief. As international attention remains focused on the war, the experiences of those like Ludmilla and Volodymyr serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of geopolitical strife. Addressing these urgent needs is not only a moral imperative but also essential for fostering stability in the region.