EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib has called for humanitarian access to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Kherson region and demanded that civilians be allowed to leave the city.
Lahbib made the statement in a press release published on the European Commission’s website.
According to Lahbib, residents of Oleshky are trapped by Russian forces and have no access to food, medicine, clean water, or basic assistance.
“Humanitarian aid must reach those in need, and civilians must be allowed to leave the city,” she said.
Lahbib noted that the EU is working with relevant partners and using all available channels to help deliver aid to people in temporarily occupied territories.
She also said that humanitarian organizations are ready to deliver assistance, but they need safe, sustained, and effective access to those in need.
The commissioner stressed that Russia must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of aid.
The humanitarian crisis in Oleshky has continued since spring 2026. According to the legitimate authorities, about 6,000 people remain in the Oleshky community, including 180 children, though the actual number may be higher.
Previously, the EU described the situation in Oleshky as “unacceptable” and demanded immediate humanitarian access, though did not specify the addressee of this demand.
Meanwhile, the Russian occupation authorities do not plan to evacuate Oleshky residents.