Ukraine Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Russian‑Occupied Kherson Region

Kyiv says thousands remain trapped in occupied Kherson settlements with limited access to food, medicine, and evacuation routes. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied In this handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential press-service in Kyiv on June 28, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) and Ukrainian lawmakers hold a minute of silence for Ukrainian victims of the war during the plenary session of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Parliament, on the national Constitution Day of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINE PRESIDENCY / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned of a severe humanitarian crisis in parts of the Russian‑occupied Kherson region, accusing Russian forces of blocking evacuations and restricting access to basic necessities. The ministry said the situation is particularly dire in Oleshky, Holа Prystan, Stara Zburivka, and Nova Zburivka, where residents lack adequate access to food, medicine, clean water, and other essential supplies. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces have artificially restricted movement, preventing civilians from leaving the affected areas and hindering humanitarian deliveries. Critical infrastructure has been largely destroyed, leaving many settlements without electricity or gas . Population levels have sharply declined as a result of the conflict and occupation. In Oleshky, the number of residents has fallen from around 24,000 to about 2,000, while across the wider area, the population has decreased from approximately 40,000 to 6,000, the ministry said. Officials warned that civilians attempting to obtain food or leave the area are at risk of drone attacks, further worsening the humanitarian conditions. Ukraine estimates that more than 6,000 people, including around 200 children, urgently require humanitarian assistance. Many of those remaining are described as low-mobility individuals, unable to evacuate on their own. Authorities also reported receiving more than 220 direct requests for evacuation from residents of the affected settlements. Testimonies collected by Ukrainian officials describe conditions in which people are unable to properly bury their dead due to ongoing hostilities and lack of access. Other Topics of Interest VIDEO: Ukraine’s HUR ‘Ghosts’ Strike Russian Military Trains in Crimea, Disrupt Logistics Ukrainian special forces unit hit locomotives and fuel tankers during moving strikes in occupied Crimea. The assessment has been corroborated by the Office of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights , Ukrainian intelligence agencies and a number of international organizations. Kyiv said it has launched urgent consultations with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to facilitate evacuations and provide humanitarian aid. The Foreign Ministry called on international partners to increase pressure on Russia to comply with international humanitarian law, establish safe evacuation corridors, and allow access for aid organizations. According to Ukrinform , Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, said five of the 13 settlements in the Oleshky community have been completely destroyed, while others remain under what officials describe as a humanitarian blockade imposed by Russian forces. Ukraine plans to raise the situation at international forums including the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) with information about Russian crimes to be transmitted to international monitoring missions. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.