WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ukrainian officials, even the Pope, are putting the spotlight of the human rights catastrophe Russia is doing in Oleshky, a southern Ukrainian town. We’re told people are starving and trapped in the city. Most recently, officials said Russia is blocking aid from entering the city. They said it’s a race against the clock to get people help and help get them out.
Late last week, there were reports that Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin and encouraged a cease fire for civilians and an evacuation in Oleshky.
Officials said it’s been occupied by Russia since the 2022 invasion. Officials believe about two-thousand civilians remain. They are highlighting the human rights catastrophes in Oleshky as an example of the starvation and brutality residents in other occupied parts also face.
“When you start to hear the stories that people started eating grass, that sounds terrible,” said Denys Sienik, Charges d’Affaires of Ukraine to the United States. “That reminds us of the genocide Ukrainians have been through in the Soviet times in 1932, 1933. It’s appalling. It’s appalling not only because there’s an elderly population but there are also children.”
We’re told Russia has planted mines around occupied cities to keep people from fleeing. Most recently, they said Russia is denying aid groups and organizations to bring in supplies
While these people are highlighting the human danger, this comes at a time where geopolitical tensions are reaching new highs. Leaders of Ukraine and the US are feuding publicly over geopolitical disagreements and delays in military aid to Ukraine. Officials on Monday said Starshield’s internet speed is still not back up to full-speed. This comes after recent reports that the US military slowed down Starshield’s speed. Ukraine’s military uses Starshield to help combat Russian missiles and attacks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is pushing back against recent reports that President Donald Trump is trying to coerce Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into making concessions to Russia.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Zelenskyy this week in Europe and is set to travel to Russia to meet with leaders there. Ukrainian officials said they are grateful for America’s help but hope Witkoff raises issues like the situation in Oleshky to help broker a truce.
“To raise this issue with the Russian side, to ask the Russians to release these people so they can find a better life and a safe life,” said Sienik.
