Humanitarian Crisis Deepens for Civilians Trapped in Russian-Occupied Kherson

Civilians remaining in Russian-occupied areas of the Khersonska region face a dire humanitarian crisis characterized by the collapse of essential services, extreme food shortages, and life-threatening risks from active hostilities and landmines. According to Human Rights Watch, there is currently no safe, organized evacuation route for residents in front-line cities like Oleshky, leaving vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with disabilities, effectively trapped in a war zone.

Conditions in Occupied Oleshky and Surrounding Areas

The situation in Oleshky, located on the east bank of the Dnipro River, has deteriorated significantly since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Once a city of 24,000, the population has dwindled to an estimated 2,000 residents, according to Ukrainian government data.

Residents who managed to escape the region between October 2025 and May 2026 reported that public utilities, including electricity and gas, have essentially collapsed. Many rely on wood-burning stoves for heat, while access to clean water and medical supplies remains critically limited. The Oleshky District Hospital is currently operating on emergency generator power with severely restricted capacity.

Human Rights Watch documented accounts of residents struggling to secure basic food supplies, noting that commercial deliveries have become rare and unpredictable. Older residents, in particular, face starvation as they are unable to compete for the limited goods available when supplies do reach the city.

Risks of Hostilities and Explosive Remnants

The region sits directly on the front line, resulting in a constant threat from ongoing military engagements. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have been active in the area, leading to sustained attacks that have left infrastructure scorched and neighborhoods hazardous.

The presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance presents a permanent danger to civilians attempting to navigate the area. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine recorded at least 29 civilian deaths and 54 injuries across Oleshky and Hola Prystan in 2026 alone. Residents describe a landscape where drones hover constantly, and movement—even for the purpose of obtaining water or medical aid—carries a high risk of injury or death.

The Lack of Safe Evacuation Pathways

Under international humanitarian law, both Russian and Ukrainian forces are obligated to facilitate the safe, voluntary evacuation of civilians and to ensure access for humanitarian aid. However, no organized system currently exists to assist those wishing to flee.

For those attempting to leave, the process is fraught with peril:

• Checkpoints: Residents must navigate Russian military checkpoints where passage is subject to the discretion of soldiers.
• Documentation: Those attempting to reach government-controlled Ukraine often must travel through Belarus. Reports indicate that residents are frequently required to possess Russian international travel passports to cross borders, while Ukrainian passports must be concealed to avoid scrutiny.
• Conscription Risks: Many residents fear that applying for Russian documentation—often a prerequisite for travel—will result in immediate forced conscription into Russian forces, a practice categorized as a war crime under international law.

International Obligations and Humanitarian Needs

As the occupying power, Russia maintains a legal obligation to ensure the civilian population under its control has access to food, medical care, and essential services. Human Rights Watch has called on both parties to immediately cease the use of antipersonnel mines and to establish clear, safe, and voluntary corridors for those seeking to evacuate.

The ongoing conflict has left many, particularly the elderly, in a state of paralysis. Lacking the financial means to relocate or fearing they will have no support in government-controlled territories, a significant number of civilians remain in high-risk zones, relying on makeshift solutions to survive in a region where basic infrastructure has all but vanished.