Russia surrounded the city in Ukraine with a minefield: 'We will certainly die in the fall'

The city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine is under siege after the Russian army surrounded it with a minefield. About 2,000 civilians, including some 40 children, have been trapped in the city without ground supplies since May 26. Residents report a complete blockade, drones, and fires, describing the scenes as an apocalypse. Ukraine accuses Russia and seeks international assistance for evacuation; the Kremlin acknowledges a humanitarian disaster but blames the Ukrainian side.

The city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine is under siege after the Russian army surrounded it with a minefield. About 2,000 civilians remain in the city, including some 40 children, and the last food delivery by land was on May 26. Residents described the situation in messages relayed to the New York Times through Tetiana Khasanenko, the exiled city leader: 'We will certainly die in the fall,' one wrote, and another said they are cooking their last borscht from meager ingredients. A third resident described a complete blockade with drones and incessant fires, 'like in a horror movie.' Oleshky is located on the front line in the southern theater, separated by the Dnipro River from the city of Kherson. Russian forces attack Kherson across the river, and Ukrainian forces strike back. The destroyed infrastructure, swarms of drones, and mines make it difficult for residents to leave and for aid to enter. Ukraine blames Russia for the crisis: Kyiv claims Moscow attacks Ukrainian drones trying to drop aid and uses civilians as human shields. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on the UN and the Red Cross to find a way to evacuate the civilians. The Kremlin acknowledged a humanitarian disaster but accused Ukrainian forces of preventing people from leaving and disrupting food and water supplies. The scenes in the city are described as an apocalypse: bodies lie in the streets awaiting burial, and starving dogs have been seen eating human remains. Oleksandr, 60, and his wife fled by waving white handkerchiefs at armed drones, on a 24 km journey between life and death. Friends who tried to bring in food were killed when their vehicle hit a mine.