People in Oleshky say fresh food supplies are rare and they have to rely on volunteers and aid groups
Residents of the frontline Ukrainian city of Oleshky are facing what they describe as a life-or-death choice between staying in a devastated, isolated town or attempting to escape along a perilous route known locally as the “Road of Death.”
Speaking to the residents say the road is heavily mined and increasingly dangerous, leaving many people effectively trapped. One resident, Ludmilla (a pseudonym used for safety), described Oleshky as cut off from consistent deliveries of food and medicine for months, forcing civilians to rely on scarce aid drops, foraged supplies, and abandoned homes.
“The road is mined. So we’re stuck here,” she said, speaking from a damaged rooftop. “People are trying their best to survive.”
A city under siege and isolation
Oleshky, located on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, has been under occupation since the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian forces hold positions across the river near Kherson, making the city a frontline zone caught between opposing militaries.
Residents describe a worsening humanitarian situation, with limited access to essentials and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Ukraine’s human rights commissioner has warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in the area.
While some aid deliveries have reportedly reached parts of the city through volunteers and local networks, supplies remain inconsistent and often expensive. Many residents say they depend on scavenging from abandoned homes to survive.
Escape through danger
Leaving Oleshky is described by locals as extremely dangerous due to mines, shelling risks, and damaged infrastructure. The main escape route, nicknamed the “Road of Death,” is reportedly littered with destroyed vehicles and suspected explosive devices.
Volodymyr, another resident who recently fled, described the journey as terrifying. “The entire highway is full of burnt-out cars,” he said, recalling fears of triggering mines at any moment during evacuation.
Satellite imagery and verified footage reviewed appear to show damaged vehicles along key routes out of the city, reinforcing accounts of hazardous conditions.
Despite the risks, some evacuations have been carried out with the help of volunteers, though survivors describe the journeys as deeply traumatic.
Life under constant fear
Those still inside the city say daily life is shaped by fear, scarcity, and destruction. Residents report that Russian soldiers are present in parts of the city, often staying hidden in basements, while Ukrainian drones operate overhead.
There are also allegations from multiple sides about the use and presence of landmines, though the extent of responsibility remains disputed. Ukraine says some mines are used to block Russian movement, while Russia blames Ukrainian strikes for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Flooding, destruction, and ongoing uncertainty
Much of Oleshky’s infrastructure was already damaged following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, which caused catastrophic flooding across parts of southern Ukraine. Residents say many homes were destroyed, leaving survivors displaced or sheltering in ruined buildings.
International organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, say they are in contact with both sides as they attempt to assess and respond to the situation, though access remains limited.
Civilians caught in between
Human rights officials have accused Russia of failing to ensure safe evacuation routes, while Russia has blamed Ukrainian military actions for the crisis. Both sides continue to exchange allegations regarding responsibility for civilian hardship.
For many residents, however, the political dispute offers little relief from daily reality.
Elderly civilians, in particular, are often reluctant to leave their homes despite the danger.
As one resident, Hanna, described witnessing: even amid drone surveillance and ongoing conflict, some continue walking through the ruins with quiet resignation, facing uncertainty whether they stay or go.
With mines, destroyed roads, and ongoing fighting, Oleshky remains a city where survival itself has become a daily gamble.
