Ukrainians Escape Russian-Occupied Oleshky After Years of Hunger and Fear
Ukrainians Escape Russian-Occupied Oleshky After Years of Hunger and Fear
Ukrainians who spent years trapped in the Russian-occupied frontline city of Oleshky have described their escape as a journey from hell. Hundreds of residents have reached Ukrainian-controlled territory after a temporary ceasefire created an opportunity to leave the devastated city.
The evacuation has reunited families who had been separated for years. However, the stories of those arriving in safety reveal the severe conditions faced by civilians who remained under occupation.
Residents described hunger, destroyed homes, dangerous roads and a lack of basic services. Some were so weak that they needed medical assistance when they arrived.
Ukrainians Describe Life in Oleshky as Hell
Oleshky is located in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, across the Dnipro River from the regional capital, Kherson. Russian forces occupied the city during the early days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Before the war, Oleshky had a population of about 24,000 people. Years of fighting and isolation have transformed the city into a dangerous place for civilians.
Olha, one of the residents who escaped with her family, described life there as a horror. Her husband, Viacheslav, said they felt they had returned from hell after reaching safety.
The couple had remained in Oleshky with their adult children. They feared that attempting to leave could expose them to mines, shelling and drone attacks.
As conditions worsened, finding food became increasingly difficult. The family eventually decided that staying was no longer an option.
Residents Faced Hunger and Dangerous Minefields
Food shortages became one of the biggest threats to people trapped in the city.
According to residents interviewed by journalists, some people ventured outside despite the danger in search of something to eat. Olha described how people risked their lives crossing minefields to find food.
Others who were too frightened to leave their homes reportedly cooked weeds and herbs from their gardens to survive.
The situation became even more difficult because access to essential services had collapsed. Residents faced shortages of water, electricity, gas and heating.
Drone attacks and mined routes also made movement dangerous. For many families, the decision to escape meant risking their lives on roads where an ordinary journey could turn deadly.
Reuters reported that some residents who reached safety had suffered serious hardship. Many of the evacuees were elderly people or individuals who needed medical care.
Temporary Ceasefire Opens an Escape Route
A temporary local ceasefire helped make the evacuation possible.
The arrangement created a limited opportunity to clear dangerous routes, organise transport and move civilians away from the frontline.
Residents travelled through Russian-controlled territory before continuing through Russia and Belarus. They eventually crossed into Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, where relatives and support teams welcomed them.
The journey was complicated because Oleshky is surrounded by dangerous frontline conditions. The nearby Dnipro River and destroyed crossings have also made movement in the area more difficult.
Ukrainian officials and humanitarian workers helped receive the evacuees and arrange assistance.
The operation brought relief to families who had spent years worrying about relatives trapped in the occupied city. Emotional reunions took place as people finally saw loved ones they had not met for a long time.
Emotional Reunions After Years Apart
For many evacuees, reaching Ukrainian-controlled territory was only the first step towards rebuilding their lives.
Some arrived with pets and a few belongings. Others had lost their homes and had nowhere to return to, even if they wanted to.
Families now face the challenge of finding accommodation, obtaining medical treatment and replacing the possessions they left behind.
The emotional impact of years of danger and uncertainty is also likely to remain. Residents have endured repeated fears over food, shelter, security and the safety of their loved ones.
Although the evacuation has offered hope, it has not ended the wider humanitarian crisis affecting civilians in occupied areas of Ukraine.
Some Residents Remain Trapped
Despite the evacuation, not everyone left Oleshky. Some residents remain in the city, including elderly people and others who may struggle to travel.
Others may be unwilling to abandon their homes or believe they have no safe destination.
The number of people who remain varies across reports, and the situation continues to develop. Humanitarian organisations and officials face the difficult task of reaching people who still need food, medicine and other essential supplies.
The temporary ceasefire has created a rare opportunity to move civilians and deliver assistance. However, residents’ experiences show how dangerous life has become in communities caught between opposing forces.
For those who escaped Oleshky, the immediate danger may have eased. Yet their next challenge is rebuilding their lives after years of deprivation and fear.
Their stories also underline the urgent need to protect civilians and ensure that people trapped in conflict zones can reach safety without risking their lives.
Sources: BBC report on residents escaping Oleshky
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