'Google Oleshky': Ukrainian tennis player calls attention to humanitarian disaster in Kherson region
Oleksandra Oliinykova (photo: instagram.com/*drones4ua.org*)
Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliinykova made an important appeal to fans after winning her opening match at the WTA 500 tournament in Singapore, according to the athlete’s personal Instagram account.
Oliinykova appeals to fans
After finishing her match against American tennis player Vivian Wolff, Oliinykova asked spectators to pay attention to the situation in the occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region.
“You know that I am from Ukraine, and there is a war going on in our country. After the match, I want to ask you for one thing: please Google information about Oleshky. It is currently temporarily occupied, and there is a humanitarian catastrophe there.
There are reports that people are starving, have no access to humanitarian aid or medicine, and cannot leave or be evacuated. So I ask everyone: after you finish with this beautiful tournament, to google and to share information — share it everywhere so that we can save the lives in Ukraine,” Oliinykova said.
Ukrainian player reaches second round
Oliinykova played confidently in her match against Wolff, defeating her opponent in two sets — 6–1, 7–6.
In the second round, Oliinykova will face Poland’s Maja Chwalińska.
What is known about the situation in Oleshky
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Oleshky in the Kherson region has been under a complete blockade for more than six months. He said more than 6,000 people remain there, including nearly 200 children.
Sybiha said that the occupying forces are preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the city, leaving local residents in extremely difficult conditions.
