# Ukrainian City Starving as Russia Blocks Escape Routes

> 2,000 Ukrainians face starvation in Oleshky after Russian mines block all exits.
- Title: Ukrainian City Starving as Russia Blocks Escape Routes
- Summary: 2,000 Ukrainians face starvation in Oleshky after Russian mines block all exits. 2,000 Ukrainians in Oleshky face starvation as Russian mines block all…
- Keywords: ukraine, oleshky, russia, putin, starvation, mines, humanitarian crisis, kherson oblast, news, entertainment, Ukrainian, City
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16141611/Thousands-Ukrainians-starving-death-city-cut-Putin-escape-walk-road-doom-booby-trapped-mines.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-18T15:26:09+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ukraine, oleshky, russia, putin, starvation, mines, humanitarian crisis, kherson oblast, news, entertainment
## Ukrainian City Cut Off
Thousands of Ukrainians are starving to death in a frontline city which has been cut off by Vladimir Putin.
## 2,000 Trapped Inside
All roads leading away from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine have been littered with mines by Russian soldiers, trapping 2,001 people inside.
## Starvation Threatens
Constant Russian drone attacks and artillery shelling have made it impossible to deliver essential food and medicine supplies, mortally endangering the remaining population which includes around 50 children.
## Death Road Escape
Residents are attempting to flee via the 'Death Road' to the southern city of Skadovsk, but the 62-mile route is life-threatening with mines and drone targets.
## Human Rights Ombudsman
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, said on September 16 that residents are desperate to escape 'from this hell'.
## No Burials
Those who die are no longer buried, because even the mortuary has been bombed, with bodies lying in cellars or on streets where dogs gnaw at them.
## Pre-War Population
The city in the Kherson Oblast used to have a prewar population of about 24,000.
## Failed Evacuations
This spring, volunteers were still able to evacuate civilians despite risks, but now even evacuation efforts are too dangerous, leaving civilians trapped.
## Oleshky's Situation
The Russian military uses towns on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River to launch attacks, including on Kherson which Ukraine liberated in November 2022.
## Food Shortages
By September 16, there were no meat, flour, oil, butter, ready-made bread, or other basic products in Oleshky, with last food delivery on May 26.
## Hospital Crisis
The local hospital is deprived of basic medical supplies, electricity, and running water, with only four elderly doctors continuing to operate.
## Kakhovka Dam Impact
Since Russia destroyed the nearby Kakhovka Dam in 2023, the hospital has depended on generators for electricity, but fuel supplies are increasingly difficult.
## Evacuation Attempts
On June 2, Russian drones attacked food delivery vehicles, killing two drivers and injuring others; on September 1, five vehicles were attacked.
## Fleeing to Radensk
Residents are fleeing to the neighboring village of Radensk alone or in pairs, walking five to six hours under drone threats.
## Winter Survival
Civilians are increasingly worried about surviving winter without food, medicine, electricity, or reliable transport.
## Human Rights Estimate
On September 16, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman estimated around 6,000 people may remain in Oleshky and surrounding areas, including about 200 children.
## Key takeaway

2,000 Ukrainians in Oleshky face starvation as Russian mines block all escape routes.