Residents in Russian-occupied Oleshky reportedly turn to garden weeds for food

The BBC reports severe food and medicine shortages in Oleshky, occupied by Russia since 2022. One resident said people were cooking garden weeds after running out of homegrown vegetables; others described only one partially operational hospital. Citing the Ukrainian government, the BBC says some 6,000 people, including 200 children, remain in the city and surrounding areas. The BBC also reports that Ukraine's foreign minister accused Russian forces of imposing a “full blockade.” The Kremlin acknowledged a “critical situation” and supply problems but blamed Kyiv and said Russia's military was working to resolve them. In a September 25, 2026 statement, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty called for an immediate local ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and safe civilian evacuations.