Thousands of people trapped in southern Ukraine are struggling to survive

Residents of the occupied Kherson region described how daily life has become increasingly dangerous, with short-range drone attacks and landmines restricting movement and cutting off access to necessities.

“People can’t get out, food can’t come in, and sick and injured people don’t get the medical help they need,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU.

Ukrainian authorities estimate up to 6,000 civilians remain in frontline communities including Oleshky and Hola Prystan, among them more than 180 children.

Reports indicate that at least 29 civilians have been killed and 54 others injured in the two communities so far this year.

Security is in danger

Residents described conditions continuing to worsen in 2025 and into 2026 as ongoing hostilities made evacuation increasingly difficult.

A woman who fled Oleshky in May told the watchdog that repeated attacks had killed or injured people she knew, leaving residents living in constant fear.

Drone strikes have reportedly restricted movement while landmines have made roads unsafe, effectively trapping many residents.

Increased hunger

Insecurity also exacerbates food shortages. Residents said Oleshky’s last grocery store stopped operating regularly in January after supply lines became unreliable.

Communities now rely heavily on preserved foods and irregular private delivery services, which are difficult for many senior citizens and those with limited mobility to access.

Food deliveries are also becoming less frequent. On June 24, no shipping had reached the city for almost a month, as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continued.

Limited medical services

Access to health services is deteriorating along with the security situation. Residents told HRMMU that ambulances no longer travel directly to homes and treatment is only available in the most urgent cases.

According to local reports compiled by the UN, four injured civilians currently hospitalized in Oleshky require transfer for further treatment but are still unable to leave. A patient recently died while waiting.

“Under international law, the occupying power has a duty to guarantee the supply of food and medicine to the population and facilitate humanitarian assistance when necessary,” HMMU said.

Help cut off

Humanitarian access is also increasingly limited. Earlier this month, a civilian convoy carrying food and aid reportedly hit a landmine as it entered Oleshky, killing one person and injuring three others.

The risks facing those trying to reach frontline communities were emphasized again this week after two demining workers were killed and several others injured in an attack in the Kherson region on Wednesday.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic killing of two demining workers,” HRMMU said, adding that humanitarian workers should not be targeted and international humanitarian law must be respected.

Calling for humanitarian access

Volunteers told the UN that organized evacuations were still too dangerous because of ongoing attacks and mine contamination, although about 180 people had managed to get out through informal arrangements in recent months.

Discussions between Ukraine and Russia regarding a possible local ceasefire to allow evacuations have taken place but have not resulted in an agreement.

“There is an urgent need for a local ceasefire so that people can leave the country and food and medicine can reach those who decide to stay,” Bell said.

The UN condemned the killing of two humanitarian workers in Kherson on Wednesday, who worked for the NGO Norwegian People’s Aid. Four other people were injured in the attack.

In a social media post, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said that humanitarian activists know the risks, but accepting the risks means not accepting attacks. He stressed that civilians, including aid workers, must be protected and international humanitarian law must be respected.

Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those killed. He emphasized that humanitarian personnel should not be injured while carrying out their life-saving work.

Since January, at least six aid workers have been killed in Ukraine, including five while on duty, and 36 others have been injured.