What russia is doing in the occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, is a war crime.
Food and medicine have been blocked for a month. There is no electricity or gas. Residents are surviving on weeds and scraps. russian FPV drones are preventing people from burying their dead family and friends. Only about 2,000 people of a pre-war population of 24,000 remain, including around 50 children.
Blocking food, medicine and aid breaks international law. Under Articles 55 and 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, occupiers must supply food and medical supplies and allow aid in. russia is deliberately doing the opposite.
Ukrainians remember the Holodomor, when the Soviet regime seized food and sealed off villages to starve millions in 1932–33. Now, russia is once again trapping Ukrainians and cutting off their food access.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has appealed for international assistance. Europe has responded: the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (Michael O’Flaherty), has called for humanitarian access and the safe evacuation of civilians. International organisations are ready to help.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) urges Foreign Minister Penny Wong – Senator for SA to join urgent international calls for russia to let aid in to Oleshky, and let civilians out safely through a humanitarian corridor.
russia must not be allowed to starve, terrorise and trap people beyond the reach of help.
#StandWithUkraine #Oleshky #Kherson #HumanitarianCorridor #Holodomor
