In the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky on the left bank of Kherson region, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating — people are left without basic conditions for living and are forced to risk their lives daily to find food.
This is reported in a piece by the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIPL).
Locals anonymously say that people gather each morning near the hospital or shops in hopes that food will be brought to the city. However, such gatherings become dangerous — they are attacked by drones.
In addition, the city has no electricity, water supply, gas or stable communications. People cook on wood-burning stoves or simply over open fires in yards.
Food supplies are almost exhausted, so locals survive on what remained at home or what they can barter.
“We have flour left for just one more loaf, a few frozen pumpkins, some grains and homemade preserves”, — said one of the residents.
Another resident said that only a little flour and frozen potatoes were left for several people.
“We haven’t eaten dairy products since the end of December. In almost three months we managed to trade for a dozen eggs only once”, — she says.
Also, as MIPL volunteer Ksenia Arkhipova said, people are already hunting pheasants. There have been known cases of residents dying from cold, hunger and lack of medical care.
Locals say that the Russians practically do not help civilians. Humanitarian aid was distributed only a few times.
“It was so humiliating, — says the woman, — but what can you do when you are hungry”.
According to her, the products were intended only for people with Russian passports. Without documents of the Russian Federation, they gave nothing to anyone: neither pensioners, nor people with disabilities, nor families with children. The humanitarian aid itself was rather specific.
“The first time it was a few cans of stewed meat and condensed milk, and the second time they handed out only condensed milk”, — says the MIPL interlocutor.
It should be noted that the critical humanitarian situation in Oleshky has been observed for more than a month. The road to the city poses a deadly danger – the routes are mined, drones are operating, and metal spikes are scattered on the roadway.
According to the legitimate authorities, the city still is home to more than 8,000 people.