Investigation: two Russian units identified as involved in the humanitarian crisis in occupied Oleshky

Oleshky, in the Kherson region, has been under Russian occupation since the first days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Kyiv Independent reports.

Around 2,000 residents, including about 50 children, face severe shortages of food, water and electricity, while only a small number have managed to evacuate. Russian forces block humanitarian aid and use the town to launch attacks across the Dnipro River.

On 27 September, the Ukrainian military distributed by drone around 4 tons of food to 100 points in the town, but according to the Kherson authorities, Russian troops have spoiled the deliveries, shooting down the drones and stopping residents who received packages.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that civilians’ lives are at serious risk.