Reports of civilians fleeing occupied Oleshky as Russia accused of blocking evacuation
On October 3, online reports emerged that dozens of civilians in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Kherson Oblast, were attempting to leave on bicycles, mopeds, and on foot due to a lack of food, water, and medicine. Ukrainian officials said Russia is blocking a humanitarian evacuation corridor, while the European Commission called on Moscow to allow civilians to depart. No official body has confirmed or denied the information about people leaving the town.
Key points
- On October 3, reports circulated online that dozens of people were leaving occupied Oleshky on bicycles, mopeds, or on foot to find food.
- No official body or institution has confirmed or denied the information as of the reporting date.
- Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said Russia is blocking evacuation via a humanitarian corridor; Ukraine has proposed safe routes, a ceasefire regime, and ICRC involvement.
- The European Commission and EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib called on Russia to allow civilians to leave and to provide humanitarian access.
- About 2,000 residents, including nearly 50 children, remain in occupied Oleshky without food, electricity, or water, according to Kherson Oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin.
- The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that no food supplies had reached Oleshky since May 26.
- Ukrainian military drones recently delivered 4,000 kg of food to Oleshky, which is reported to have been confiscated by Russian forces.
Why it matters
Civilians in an occupied Ukrainian town are facing a life-threatening humanitarian crisis with no organized evacuation, as Russia is reported to be actively blocking humanitarian corridors and ICRC involvement. The European Commission and an EU Commissioner have publicly called on Russia to allow civilian egress, elevating the issue diplomatically. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman has characterized Russia's actions as genocide and a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, raising serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law.
What happened
On Saturday, October 3, messages spread online claiming that several dozen people had left Russian-occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, with video footage showing people on bicycles reportedly heading in the direction of the town exit. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets published video showing civilians leaving on bicycles, mopeds, and on foot to find food, without proper transport, a safe route, or any guarantee they would reach their destination. Lubinets reported that Russia is not allowing evacuation via a humanitarian corridor, that Ukraine is ready to begin evacuation immediately with proposed safe routes, a silence regime, and ICRC involvement, and that Russia's response to all such proposals has been no. He described Russia's actions as genocide and a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The European Commission called on Russia to ensure humanitarian access to Oleshky and to allow civilians to leave. EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib stated the situation in Oleshky is terrifying and that civilians are besieged by Russian forces without access to food, medicine, clean water, or basic medical care. She added that Russia, as an occupying power, has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian assistance. Kherson Oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin said about 2,000 people, including nearly 50 children, remain in Oleshky without food, electricity, or water. No official body or institution has confirmed or denied the information about people leaving the town.
Where reporting differs
Some Telegram channels claimed that about a hundred people from Oleshky traveled to the Russian-controlled village of Radensk to buy food and then returned, while the direction and purpose of the cyclists shown in video footage remain unconfirmed by any official body.
Background
The Kakhovka dam was destroyed on June 6, 2023, flooding Oleshky and other settlements in the area. About 2,000 residents of occupied Oleshky are reported to remain in the town, including nearly 50 children according to Kherson Oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, no food supplies had reached Oleshky since May 26. Ukrainian military drones recently delivered 4,000 kg of food to the town, which is reported to have been confiscated by Russian forces, with residents who received it thrown into basements. The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has called on the Pope, the UN, and the ICRC to help evacuate residents to Ukrainian-controlled territory.