Ukraine Evacuates Residents From Russian-Occupied Oleshky After Months of Starvation
Ukraine Evacuates Residents From Russian-Occupied Oleshky After Months of Starvation
Civilians are leaving the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky after a rare humanitarian operation opened a route for residents to escape months of hunger, dangerous living conditions and continued fighting.
The evacuation began under a temporary ceasefire in the southern Kherson region. Residents are travelling through Russian territory and Belarus before reaching Ukrainian-controlled areas.
The operation offers hope to people who have spent months struggling to find food and medicine. Some residents reportedly survived by eating weeds, preserving whatever food they could find and sharing scarce supplies with their neighbours.
Oleshky, which lies across the Dnipro River from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson, has faced severe shortages since access to the area became increasingly dangerous.
A City Struggling to Survive
Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Oleshky had a population of approximately 24,000 people.
The city has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the invasion. Years of fighting, damage to infrastructure and restrictions on movement have made daily life increasingly difficult.
By September 2026, reports described residents struggling to obtain basic necessities, including food, clean water and medical treatment.
The situation became particularly severe after regular food deliveries stopped reaching the city. Residents said they had little left to eat, while shops and essential services were no longer operating normally.
Some people survived on small portions of food once a day. Others relied on vegetables grown around their homes, preserved food and edible weeds.
The humanitarian crisis attracted international attention after residents described their desperate attempts to survive. Ukrainian officials appealed for international assistance and demanded safe passage for civilians who wanted to leave.
Temporary Ceasefire Opens an Evacuation Route
The latest evacuation became possible after a temporary ceasefire was arranged to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
The operation involved coordination between the opposing sides, allowing roads to be cleared and transport to move through dangerous areas.
According to reporting by The Guardian, a convoy of approximately 25 buses and ambulances was involved in the operation. The convoy also delivered food and medicine to people who remained in the city.
The evacuation is unusual because Russia and Ukraine have struggled to agree on humanitarian arrangements throughout the war.
The ceasefire was intended to create a limited opportunity for civilians to leave and for essential supplies to reach those still trapped.
However, the total number of people who have successfully left Oleshky remains unclear. Some residents have reportedly chosen to stay, while others are making the difficult journey toward Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Evacuees Travel Through Russia and Belarus
The route out of Oleshky presents its own challenges.
Some evacuees are travelling through Russia before passing through Belarus and entering Ukraine’s Chernihiv region.
The journey highlights the complicated circumstances facing civilians who want to escape territory controlled by Russian forces and return to Ukrainian-held areas.
Families separated by the conflict have also been waiting for news of relatives. Some have reportedly spent years apart because fighting and restrictions on movement made contact and travel difficult.
Not everyone leaving the city is heading toward Ukraine. Reports indicate that some residents have chosen to travel to Russia, with others taken toward Crimea.
For those seeking to return to Ukrainian-controlled territory, the journey represents an opportunity to reach safer surroundings after months of uncertainty.
Humanitarian Concerns Remain
Although the evacuation has begun, serious concerns remain about the people who are still inside Oleshky.
Residents have faced shortages of food, medicine and healthcare, while continued fighting and drone attacks have made movement dangerous.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russian occupying forces of obstructing humanitarian assistance and preventing civilians from leaving safely. Russian officials have disputed aspects of Ukraine’s account and blamed Kyiv for problems affecting supplies.
The wider conflict has also damaged infrastructure and displaced millions of Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Humanitarian organisations face significant challenges in reaching communities close to the front line, particularly where access routes are mined or exposed to attacks.
The temporary ceasefire has created an important opening, but it does not resolve the underlying problems facing civilians in occupied areas.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority is to help residents leave safely, provide medical assistance and deliver essential supplies to people who remain behind.
Families are also hoping for further information about relatives who have been separated by the war.
The evacuation demonstrates that limited cooperation between opposing sides can create opportunities to protect civilians, even during a prolonged conflict.
However, the long-term future of Oleshky remains uncertain. Residents will need continued humanitarian assistance, while those who leave must find safe accommodation and access to healthcare.
For civilians who have endured months of hunger and fear, the opening of an evacuation route offers a chance to escape an increasingly desperate situation.
The operation’s success will depend on whether more people can reach safety and whether humanitarian aid can continue reaching those who remain trapped in the Russian-occupied city.
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