Key facts
- Russian officers involved in the blockade of Oleshky have been identified by Ukrainian media.
- The 217th Guards Airborne Regiment and its commander, Colonel Georgy Yanchev, are reportedly operating in the area.
- Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the full-scale invasion, facing severe shortages of food, water, and electricity.
- Evacuation from the city is made difficult by mined roads, drone attacks, and checkpoints.
- Pope Leo XIV called for a local ceasefire to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuation.
- Ukrainian soldiers have been delivering food aid to the area by drone.
An investigation by Ukrainian media outlet Slidstvo.info, published on Oct. 23, has identified Russian officers allegedly responsible for the blockade and starvation of civilians in the occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast. The city, located across the Dnipro River, has been effectively cut off by Russian forces, preventing humanitarian aid from entering and targeting civilians attempting to flee via drone attacks. The report builds on previous findings that identified commanders of other Russian units operating in the area, now naming Colonel Georgy Yanchev, commander of the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment, as present in Oleshky. Residents face severe shortages of food, water, and electricity, with mined roads and constant drone attacks making safe evacuation nearly impossible. As the humanitarian crisis has worsened, international pressure has mounted. Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire on Oct. 16, and Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated on Oct. 18 that an agreement on civilian evacuation is nearing finalization. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers have been delivering food aid to the area by drone.