Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Sibiha has voiced deep concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in the beleaguered city of Oleshky, where approximately 1,700 people remain trapped as winter approaches. He reported that the only road out of the city is heavily mined and monitored by drones, making any escape perilous for residents.
Conditions in Oleshky have deteriorated significantly, with reports indicating that hospitals are running out of medicine and many bodies are left unburied due to restrictions imposed by Russian forces. Families are struggling to survive, relying on vegetable remnants and homemade supplies, while facing threats from soldiers demanding food supplies.
Sibiha has called for immediate assistance from international organizations, urging the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help facilitate safe evacuation corridors and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the city. He emphasized that Russia must cease hindering rescue efforts for civilians.
The Minister expressed gratitude to global partners and particularly acknowledged Pope Francis for his call to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to declare a ceasefire in Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid to reach the desperate populace. Sibiha stressed that mere expressions of concern are insufficient for those in dire need; concrete actions are essential for their survival.
“People cannot survive on statements of concern alone. They need concrete actions, the ability to escape, and they need it urgently,” Sibiha asserted.
Background Context
- Oleshky has been under occupation since the early days of the full-scale war, with the last supply of food reported on May 26. Residents have faced challenges in escaping or receiving aid due to mining, drone attacks, and the lack of safe routes.
- Initially, occupying forces denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis in the city but eventually acknowledged it while blaming Ukraine for the situation.
