In Russia-occupied Oleshky, Ukrainians face hunger, drones and landmines

What the report says

In a report published by Al Jazeera on Oct. 5, 2026, residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region are described as facing severe shortages of food, medicine and basic services, alongside the ongoing danger of drones and landmines. The article says about 2,000 people remain in the town, which has lacked electricity, running water, natural gas and healthcare for much of the occupation.

Al Jazeera highlights the story of Vera Gulyaeva, who left Oleshky after her husband was wounded in a drone strike on a bread line and later died in hospital. Other residents, according to the report, survive on stored supplies, small gardens or wild plants such as purslane. The town’s mayor, Tetiana Khasanenko, told Al Jazeera that some residents eat only once a day and that there is little to no flour, meat, oil, sugar or salt available.

The report also says attempts to bring in food and medical supplies are dangerous because of drone attacks and landmines on the roads. Ukrainian officials argue that Russia is using civilians as human shields, while Moscow blames Kyiv for obstructing deliveries. Pro-Russian voices in occupied areas dispute that account. The piece places Oleshky in the wider context of the war’s impact on civilians living under occupation and the difficulty of evacuating or supplying isolated communities.