Ukrainian drones deliver 4 tons of food to starving civilians in Russian-occupied Oleshky
Ukrainian Armed Forces use drones to deliver food to starving residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian troops used drones to deliver about 4 tons of food to the occupied city of Oleshky. The aid was delivered to 100 designated locations across the city, says Kherson Regional Military Administration head Oleksandr Prokudin.
"In occupied Oleshky, the Russians are holding about 2,000 of our people hostage, including nearly 50 children. They are forced to survive without food, electricity, or water," the regional administration chief noted.
According to him, Russian forces have effectively deprived local residents of the opportunity to leave the city. As a result, Ukraine is trying to deliver essential supplies directly to Oleshky.
Food delivered by drones
Since March, Ukrainian troops, together with the Kherson Regional Military Administration, have been systematically delivering food across the Dnipro River using drones.
The operation involves, among others, a unit of the 11th National Guard Brigade and troops from the 34th Separate Marine Brigade Borysfen.
One of the largest such operations was carried out recently. Ukrainian troops delivered about 4,000 kilograms of food to 100 designated locations in Oleshky at once.
The operation involved the 30th Marine Corps, the Hrim tactical group, the 34th Marine Brigade Borysfen, the Bolharychi unit of the 11th National Guard Brigade, the 34th National Guard Regiment and the 79th Border Guard Detachment.
#Ukrainian Armed Forces use #drones to deliver #food to starving civilians in Russian-occupied #Oleshky pic.twitter.com/obwWUi5Vlw
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) September 27, 2026
Russians try to disrupt aid deliveries
Prokudin said Russian forces are blocking aid deliveries. In particular, they are shooting down drones carrying food.
He also said the occupying forces seize or resell food intended for civilians, including children and elderly people.
They may even detain Oleshky residents for receiving humanitarian aid.
"For receiving humanitarian packages, the occupiers detain Oleshky residents, throw them into basements, brutally beat them and resort to violence," Oleksandr Prokudin emphasized.
Kherson Military Administration chief called the blocking of humanitarian aid and the creation of conditions for starvation among civilians war crimes.
"Everyone involved in these actions will inevitably be held accountable," he concluded.
Situation in Oleshky
Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region has been under Russian occupation since 2022. Russia also does not allow people to leave the city.
After the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in June 2023, Oleshky was almost completely flooded. At the time, the occupying forces allowed only residents with Russian passports to evacuate.
Oleshky has no electricity or gas supply, while access to food, medicine, water, and medical care remains extremely limited.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Oleshky residents are starving and are forced to survive by eating grass and weeds.
Ukraine is raising the humanitarian situation in Oleshky at the international level, including at the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
