The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine stated that, as of June 24, no food supplies had reached the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region since May 26.
The UN Monitoring Mission reported that it recently interviewed more than 20 residents of communities near the front line in the occupied part of the Kherson region, including Oleshky and Hola Prystan. Residents said that frequent drone attacks and the presence of landmines were hindering evacuation efforts and access to essential supplies.
“According to local residents, the last grocery store in Oleshky ceased operations in January due to a lack of goods. For several months, residents survived on canned food and limited supplies provided by private distributors, which were often inaccessible to people unable to reach distribution points. As of June 24, no food deliveries had entered the city since May 26,” the report states.
Residents also reported that ambulances no longer travel to people's homes and that medical assistance is provided only in emergency cases.
“As of June 24, four wounded civilians hospitalized in Oleshky required transportation to Skadovsk for further treatment, but evacuation was impossible. One patient recently died in the hospital while awaiting transport,” the Mission reported.
In this context, the UN Monitoring Mission stressed that under international law, an occupying power is obligated to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the population and facilitate humanitarian assistance when necessary.
The Mission documented reports of at least 29 civilians killed and 54 injured in Oleshky and Hola Prystan alone during 2026. Many of these cases were independently verified by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to the Mission, most civilian casualties resulted from short-range drone attacks, although it was unable to determine responsibility for individual incidents.
The UN Monitoring Mission also noted that discussions had taken place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding a possible local ceasefire to facilitate civilian evacuations from the area, but no agreement has yet been reached.
“There is an urgent need for a local ceasefire so that people can leave and food and medicine can reach those who choose to remain,” said Danielle Bell.
According to Ukrainian authorities, up to 6,000 civilians remain in these communities, including more than 180 children.
