# Oleshky: A Chronicle of Early Testimony and an Information Vacuum (2022–2026)

> Oleshky is a city on the left bank of the Dnipro River, across from Kherson. Russia occupied it at the start of its full-scale invasion. [S1] Today the city faces a humanitarian catastrophe: hunger, a lack of medicine, and an evacuation that is nearly impossible. Reports of such problems came out of the city from the first weeks of the occupation. We compared the dates of those reports with the dates when media and institutions responded.

Publisher and author: Cyber Boroshno (Кібер Борошно), https://cyberboroshno.digital/ · Language: en · Updated: 2026-10-30 · URL: https://oleshky-focus.pages.dev/en/
Cite as: Cyber Boroshno. “Oleshky: A Chronicle of Early Testimony and an Information Vacuum (2022–2026).” October 30, 2026. https://oleshky-focus.pages.dev/en/

[Image: Schematic of the lower Dnipro River: Oleshky on the left bank across from Kherson; Nova Kakhovka and the Kakhovka dam upstream; the direction to Crimea to the southeast.]

*Oleshky is a city in Kherson district. Before the war it had about 24,000 residents (a 2022 estimate). The Dnipro separates it from Kherson; the Antonivskyi Bridge was destroyed in November 2022. [S1] Schematic: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Natural Earth, Wikidata coordinates (CC0).*

## Key points

1. Oleshky is in a humanitarian catastrophe. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), there have been no regular food deliveries to the city since May 26, 2026. Evacuation was nearly impossible: on Jan. 17 an evacuation vehicle hit a mine, and on Sept. 1 drones struck a humanitarian convoy. A ceasefire began on Oct. 27 and an evacuation on Oct. 30. [F6,S5,S20,S16,S18]
2. These problems were reported from the city from the first weeks of the occupation: electricity and phone service on May 29, 2022; passports on June 28; children in the boarding school on Oct. 21; medicine on Dec. 14. Places of detention were reported on Jan. 24, 2023; floodwater in the city on June 6, 2023; food shortages on Feb. 2, 2025, and Jan. 31, 2026. [FP1,SP1,SP2,CH5]
3. In 2024–2025 the city nearly vanished from the news. Until 2026, food, medicine and communications made up 1–6% of coverage in any half-year. [TM1] Officials wrote 50 posts about the city in two years, and Russian and occupation channels got 38% of the views in 2025. [AM-F1,VO1] An eyewitness wrote about hunger on Feb. 2, 2025 («Нет еды, воды , а кругом смерть» [“No food, no water, and death all around”], 186 views), and the channel “Kherson: Non Fake” on Jan. 31, 2026 («начинается голод» [“hunger is beginning”], 120,391 views). [SP1,CH5]
4. The response came late. National media wrote about electricity and phone service 13 months later, about passports 9 months later, and about places of detention 2.1 years later. On hunger in 2026, national web outlets wrote 25 days later, DW 105 days later, the UN mission 145 days later and HRW 159 days later. [CS3,SP2,CH5]
5. Until 2026, statements dominated. The actions were the volunteers’ boats in 2023 and, in 2026, food delivered by drone, the evacuation of 32 people in May and the ceasefire from Oct. 27. [AC1]

## What was reported from Oleshky before 2026

Reports from the city covered electricity, passports, children, medicine, torture, the flood and hunger. The table shows how long it took for each problem to get a first response.

**Time from the first report from the city to the first response**

| Problem | First report from the city | National media | International media | Institutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No electricity or phone service | May 29, 2022 | 13 months | 12 months |  |
| A passport required for work, treatment, aid | Jun 28, 2022 | 9 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Children taken from the boarding school | Oct 21, 2022 | 1.9 days | 2 days | 12 months |
| Shortage of medicine and insulin | Dec 14, 2022 | <1 h | 3.4 years | 3.5 years |
| Places of detention and torture | Jan 24, 2023 | 2.1 years |  | 3.6 years |
| The dam destroyed | Jun 6, 2023 | <1 h | 7 h | 2.5 days |
| Hunger and blockade | Feb 2, 2025 | 12 months | 16 months | 17 months |

*For each problem: the date of the first post from the city and the time until the first response from national media, international media and institutions. “—” means no response was found. Source: Telegram channels and websites that wrote about Oleshky; media reports and institutional documents.*

## How much was written about the city, and about what

Coverage of Oleshky comes in spikes: after the liberation of Kherson, after the destruction of the dam, after the AP investigation in December 2023, and from September 2026. Between the spikes it is nearly silent. In October 2026, 8,077 channels wrote about the city; not long before, about a hundred did. [AD1,AD2]

**Items about Oleshky by week, 2022–2026**

| Week | Telegram | Ukrainian websites | Russian websites | GDELT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21, 2022 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Feb 28, 2022 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 7, 2022 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
| Mar 21, 2022 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Mar 28, 2022 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2022 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Apr 11, 2022 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 1 |
| Apr 18, 2022 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2022 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| May 2, 2022 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| May 9, 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| May 16, 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| May 23, 2022 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2022 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2022 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2022 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2022 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2022 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Jul 25, 2022 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 1, 2022 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Aug 22, 2022 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Aug 29, 2022 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 18 |
| Sep 5, 2022 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 12, 2022 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Sep 19, 2022 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sep 26, 2022 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Oct 3, 2022 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct 10, 2022 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2022 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 70 |
| Oct 24, 2022 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 19 |
| Oct 31, 2022 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 22 |
| Nov 7, 2022 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| Nov 14, 2022 | 63 | 34 | 100 | 145 |
| Nov 21, 2022 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Nov 28, 2022 | 28 | 18 | 11 | 20 |
| Dec 5, 2022 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Dec 12, 2022 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Dec 19, 2022 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Dec 26, 2022 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 9 |
| Jan 2, 2023 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Jan 9, 2023 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan 16, 2023 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Jan 23, 2023 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Feb 6, 2023 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Feb 13, 2023 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Feb 20, 2023 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2023 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 3 |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Mar 13, 2023 | 29 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Mar 20, 2023 | 15 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Mar 27, 2023 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2023 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Apr 10, 2023 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Apr 17, 2023 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 157 |
| Apr 24, 2023 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 125 |
| May 1, 2023 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| May 8, 2023 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| May 15, 2023 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| May 22, 2023 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| May 29, 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Jun 5, 2023 | 132 | 166 | 245 | 298 |
| Jun 12, 2023 | 17 | 24 | 40 | 133 |
| Jun 19, 2023 | 10 | 26 | 15 | 30 |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 18 | 7 | 20 | 5 |
| Jul 3, 2023 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 19 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | 14 | 12 | 28 | 26 |
| Jul 17, 2023 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 6 |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 17 | 5 | 23 | 2 |
| Jul 31, 2023 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 12 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Aug 21, 2023 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Aug 28, 2023 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Sep 4, 2023 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 3 |
| Sep 11, 2023 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 18, 2023 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2023 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2, 2023 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2023 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| Oct 16, 2023 | 5 | 2 | 32 | 6 |
| Oct 23, 2023 | 4 | 3 | 20 | 1 |
| Oct 30, 2023 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 3 |
| Nov 6, 2023 | 6 | 11 | 24 | 4 |
| Nov 13, 2023 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 10 |
| Nov 20, 2023 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 14 |
| Nov 27, 2023 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Dec 4, 2023 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2023 | 30 | 12 | 19 | 1 |
| Dec 18, 2023 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Dec 25, 2023 | 5 | 23 | 20 | 61 |
| Jan 1, 2024 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Jan 8, 2024 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Jan 15, 2024 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 29, 2024 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
| Feb 5, 2024 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Feb 12, 2024 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2024 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Mar 4, 2024 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2024 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| Mar 25, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Apr 1, 2024 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Apr 8, 2024 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 7 |
| Apr 15, 2024 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Apr 22, 2024 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Apr 29, 2024 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| May 6, 2024 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| May 13, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| May 20, 2024 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| May 27, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 3, 2024 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 2 |
| Jun 17, 2024 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jul 1, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2024 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2024 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 3 |
| Aug 5, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2024 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2024 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2024 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2024 | 29 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2024 | 25 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| Sep 30, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2024 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Oct 14, 2024 | 6 | 10 | 22 | 1 |
| Oct 21, 2024 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 1 |
| Oct 28, 2024 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2024 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 0 |
| Nov 11, 2024 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Nov 18, 2024 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 |
| Nov 25, 2024 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2024 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| Dec 9, 2024 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Dec 30, 2024 | 2 | 0 | 88 | 0 |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Jan 13, 2025 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Jan 20, 2025 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 52 |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Feb 10, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| Feb 17, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 12 |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
| Mar 10, 2025 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Mar 24, 2025 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2025 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2025 | 9 | 1 | 24 | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2025 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2025 | 36 | 4 | 357 | 36 |
| May 5, 2025 | 7 | 2 | 25 | 2 |
| May 12, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| May 19, 2025 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| May 26, 2025 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2025 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 1 |
| Jun 9, 2025 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2025 | 11 | 2 | 19 |  |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 2 | 0 | 11 |  |
| Jun 30, 2025 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2025 | 6 | 3 | 131 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2025 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| Jul 28, 2025 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 2 |
| Aug 11, 2025 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Aug 18, 2025 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2025 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2025 | 13 | 1 | 23 | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2025 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2025 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2025 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Sep 29, 2025 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2025 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Oct 13, 2025 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 1 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2025 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2025 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2025 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2026 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Feb 16, 2026 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2026 | 12 | 3 | 38 | 2 |
| Mar 9, 2026 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | 3 | 11 | 23 | 3 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| Apr 6, 2026 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 2 |
| Apr 13, 2026 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| May 4, 2026 | 5 | 23 | 19 | 2 |
| May 11, 2026 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 3 |
| May 18, 2026 | 16 | 14 | 31 | 2 |
| May 25, 2026 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 3 |
| Jun 8, 2026 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 15 | 4 | 33 | 2 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 2 |
| Jun 29, 2026 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| Jul 13, 2026 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| Jul 27, 2026 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2026 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 26 | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Aug 17, 2026 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Aug 31, 2026 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Sep 7, 2026 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Sep 14, 2026 | 31 | 71 | 43 | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2026 | 32 | 147 | 146 | 13 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | 74 | 176 | 248 | 13 |
| Oct 5, 2026 | 65 | 44 | 181 | 0 |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 38 | 59 | 165 | 192 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 179 | 296 | 754 | 301 |
| Oct 26, 2026 | 409 | 327 | 935 | 3 |

*Each stripe is one week; the darker it is, the more items. Each row has its own scale, so compare the shape, not the color. The lightest shade is a week with no items; a hatch means no data. February 2025 – January 2026 is highlighted. Telegram covers only channels that wrote about the city in all five years. Source: Telegram channels and websites that wrote about Oleshky; GDELT.*

**What the items about Oleshky covered, by half-year**

| Half-year | Shelling and deaths | Detention, torture | Russian passport issuance | Survival: food, medicine, communications | Evacuation and deportation | Flood | Children and the boarding school | Occupation administration | Military operations | Diplomacy and reaction | Other / passing mention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022, H1 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 55 | 0 | 43 |
| 2022, H2 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 57 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023, H1 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 81 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 13 |
| 2023, H2 | 32 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 57 | 0 | 16 |
| 2024, H1 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 49 | 1 | 27 |
| 2024, H2 | 49 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 26 | 0 | 23 |
| 2025, H1 | 71 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 6 | 24 |
| 2025, H2 | 74 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 0 | 28 |
| 2026, H1 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
| 2026, H2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 88 | 2 |

*Sample: 140 items per half-year, each assigned a main topic. Four topics are colored; the other seven are gray. Source: Telegram channels and websites that wrote about Oleshky.*

Until 2026, food, medicine and communications made up 1–6% of items in any half-year; most were daily summaries of shelling and deaths. In the first half of 2026, 29% of items were about survival; in the second half, 63% were about diplomacy and reactions. [TM1] Only 23 of 1,400 items were about detention and torture.

Little survives about the lack of food and medicine. On Jan. 18, 2024, a volunteer wrote: «Після затоплення і обстрілів в місті не залишилось нічого» [“After the flood and the shelling, nothing is left in the city”]. On Feb. 2, 2025, an eyewitness wrote: «Нет еды, воды , а кругом смерть» [“No food, no water, and death all around”]; the post was viewed 186 times. The next large post on the subject came on Jan. 31, 2026: the channel “Kherson: Non Fake” wrote «Некоторые люди уже испытывают серьезный дефицит с продуктами, начинается голод» [“Some people are already facing a serious shortage of food, hunger is beginning”] (120,391 views). [SP1,CH5]

## 2025–2026: hunger, blockade and an evacuation that was nearly impossible

The first signal of hunger came early; the media reached it slowly. On Jan. 31, 2026, the channel “Kherson: Non Fake” wrote: «Некоторые люди уже испытывают серьезный дефицит с продуктами, начинается голод» [“Some people are already facing a serious shortage of food, hunger is beginning”] (120,391 views). Six days later a national Telegram channel, newspn, repeated it (28,267 views). National web outlets picked up the topic 25 days later, DW 105 days later, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) 145 days later and HRW 159 days later. [CH5] As early as Feb. 2, 2025, an eyewitness wrote: «Нет еды, воды , а кругом смерть» [“No food, no water, and death all around”]; the post was viewed 186 times. [SP1]

According to HRMMU, the last regular food delivery to the city was recorded on May 26, 2026. The city administration said so on June 12; HRMMU confirmed it on June 25 and gave casualty figures: at least 29 people killed and 54 injured in Oleshky and Hola Prystan since the start of the year. [F6]

Attempts are being made to deliver food by drone. On May 21, 2026, a spokesman for the 34th Brigade said Russian troops were shooting the drones down. National media wrote about the deliveries only from Sept. 23, DW from Sept. 27. [SP3] On Sept. 25, BBC Ukrainian published a report about soup made from weeds. [S6]

Leaving was just as hard. On Jan. 17, 2026, a regional channel reported that an evacuation had failed: a vehicle hit a mine, and the driver died, according to local channels. Obozrevatel wrote about it three days later, and RIA Novosti relayed the Russian side’s statement about three injured. Our material contains no international reports or institutional documents on this; where the mine came from is not known. [S5] On Sept. 1, drones struck a humanitarian convoy of four vehicles. Ukrainian channels blamed Russian drones; RT blamed Ukrainian ones. There is no independent confirmation. [S20] In May, during a three-day lull, 32 people left (according to HRMMU). [AC1]

### Food shortage in the city, 2025–2026

On Jan. 18, 2024, a volunteer wrote that «не залишилось нічого» [“nothing is left”] in the city. On Jan. 31, 2026, the channel “Kherson: Non Fake” wrote: «начинается голод» [“hunger is beginning”]. A national Telegram channel repeated this six days later, DW 105 days later, and HRMMU 145 days later.

First post

Feb 2, 2025

potipomu

National media

12 months

Telegram newspn (28,000 views); web:…

International media

16 months

Deutsche Welle (Ukrainian)

Institutions

17 months

Details

### Jan. 17, 2026: evacuation vehicle hit a mine

On Jan. 17, 2026, at 09:17 UTC a regional channel reported that an evacuation had failed: a vehicle hit a mine. The next day a local channel wrote that the volunteer driver had died. Obozrevatel reported it on Jan. 20, and the same day the Russian side reported three injured.

First post

Jan 17, 2026

leftbank2025

National media

3.1 days

Obozrevatel (web)

International media

—

Institutions

—

Details

### Strikes on convoys and food delivered by drone, 2025–2026

On May 1, 2025, Reuters relayed Russia’s statement about a strike on a market in Oleshky (seven killed, according to it) and Ukraine’s denial. On May 21, 2026, a spokesperson for the 34th Brigade said Russian troops were shooting down drones carrying food and medicine. On Sept. 1, Ukrainian channels reported that Russian drones had hit a convoy of four vehicles, while Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Ukrainian drones had.

First post

May 21, 2026

vgorunews

National media

4 months

UNIAN Telegram (minister Bezhin) —…

International media

4 months

Deutsche Welle (Ukrainian)

Institutions

4 months

Details

Medicine is also short. On Oct. 4, 2023, the mayor said insulin would not be given without a passport. On Oct. 24, 2026, Russia’s human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova acknowledged a shortage of insulin (Vesti). Residents had mentioned a passport as a condition for aid as early as 2022. [CS3]

### Shortage of medicine and insulin, 2022–2026

On Dec. 14, 2022, a volunteer told Ukrinform about the need for insulin: a person was losing sight. On Oct. 4, 2023, the mayor said: «інсулін не отримаєш без паспорта» [“you will not get insulin without a passport”]. In 2026 a national Telegram channel, DW and HRMMU wrote about a shortage of medicine, and on Oct. 24 the Russian ombudswoman acknowledged a shortage of insulin.

First post

Dec 14, 2022

UKRINFORM (volunteer interview)

National media

<

1 h

Ukrinform (same material); Telegram…

International media

3.4 years

Deutsche Welle (Ukrainian)

Institutions

3.5 years

Details

How many people remain in the city is not known. About 24,000 lived there before the war. In June 2023 the mayor spoke of 3,500–4,000; in 2026 the head of the city military administration spoke of 2,000. [S1,F1,F2,F4]

**Estimates of Oleshky’s population, thousands of people**

| Date | Thousands of people | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before the war | 24.1 | estimate before 2022 |
| June 2023 | 3.75 | mayor: 3,500–4,000 in the city |
| April 2026 | 2 | head of the city military administration (Kyiv Independent) |
| June 2026 | 1.7 | head of the city military administration (Ukrinform) |
| October 2026 | 2 | head of the city military administration (Euronews) |

*How many people lived in Oleshky before the war and afterward, according to statements by the mayor and the head of the military administration. This is not a census but estimates for different dates and areas. Bar length shows the number of people. Sources: Wikipedia (prewar), Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine (the mayor, June 8, 2023), Kyiv Independent, Ukrinform, Euronews.*

Why so little was known about this is clear from 2024–2025.

## 2024–2025: Oleshky nearly vanished from the news

Few people spoke for the city. Former mayor Yevhen Ryshchuk, Oleshky military administration head Tetiana Hasanenko, Kherson Oblast military administration head Oleksandr Prokudin and ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets together wrote 50 posts in two years. Volunteer channels did not have large audiences. [AM-F1,AM-F8]

In 2025, Russian and occupation channels received 38% of the views of posts about Oleshky. Among the most prominent was the Russian version of a strike on a market on May 1, in which seven people were killed; Ukraine denied this (according to Reuters). [VO1,sk-6]

**Share of views of posts about Oleshky that went to occupation and Russian state channels**

| Year | All views, millions | Occupation and Russian state channels, % |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 47.4 | 17 |
| 2023 | 74.5 | 16 |
| 2024 | 12.0 | 27 |
| 2025 | 33.2 | 38 |
| 2026 | 165.7 | 16 |

*The share of views of Telegram posts about Oleshky that went to occupation administrations and Russian state media; at right, all views for the year. Source: Telegram channels that wrote about Oleshky.*

## September–October 2026: the response came late

Institutions began to speak about Oleshky in September 2026, after months of hunger. On Sept. 16, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets gave figures: more than 6,000 people, about 200 children, 358 people needing immediate evacuation (Kyiv Independent). [S7] On Sept. 23, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke about Oleshky at the UN (UNN), [S8] and on Oct. 17 he called the city a “death trap” (LB.ua). [S9] On Oct. 7, EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said that Russia, as the occupying power, must protect civilians. [S10]

On Sept. 27, Dmitry Peskov, as relayed by TASS, said Ukraine was “allegedly obstructing” food deliveries. [S11] But HRMMU recorded the last regular delivery on May 26. [F6] The occupation authorities called the crisis “false Kyiv propaganda” (April 27, Novaya Gazeta Europe). [S12] There is no independent confirmation of the Russian statements.

On Oct. 16, Pope Leo XIV asked Putin for a truce in Oleshky (Euronews). [S13] On Oct. 20, European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno announced a hunger strike (Meduza). [S14] On Oct. 23, the White House announced an agreement on a ceasefire (Al Jazeera). [S15] The ceasefire began on Oct. 27 at 3 a.m. Kyiv time (Radio Svoboda). [S16] We found no separate UN Security Council meeting on Oleshky. [S17]

The evacuation began on Oct. 30. Lubinets and Russian ombudsman Yana Lantratova were in the city; buses and aid were brought in (Ukrainska Pravda, CNN). How many people left is not known: the prime minister gave a figure of 527 and said at once that it was not exact. The sources do not name the ICRC or the UN as taking part. [S18] On Oct. 25, Zelensky said Russia would clear mines from the roads so that people would leave “toward Russia”; this is the president’s assessment. [S19]

**Actions and statements on Oleshky by year: 51 entries**

| Period | Actions | Statements | Refusals or nothing found | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 16 |
| 2024–2025 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2026 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 24 |

*51 entries, sorted by what the original source says. “Action” means rescue, delivery, evacuation or an agreement; “statement” means words without action; “refusal or nothing found” means obstacles and a lack of confirmation. Source: media reports, officials’ statements and institutional documents about Oleshky (HRMMU, Reuters, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda and others); details in the fact register.*

Of the 51 entries, 15 are actions or agreements, 20 are statements and 16 are refusals or nothing found. Before 2026, actions occurred only in 2023, when volunteers rescued people by boat. [AC1]

Institutional documents about Oleshky before 2026:

| Date | Who | What was said |
|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2022 | [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south) | HRW, in a report on torture and disappearances in the occupied south, describes the detention of “Stepan” at home in Oleshky; the family had no further news of him. [IN1] |
| June 14, 2023 | [Human Rights Watch](https://hrw.org/news/2023/06/14/loss-after-loss-after-loss-dam-destruction-ukraine) | In “Loss after loss after loss,” HRW said that in Oleshky and other occupied areas the authorities are not fulfilling their duty to help people; 90 percent of the city was flooded. [IN2] |
| Oct. 4, 2023 | [OHCHR, 36th report](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/23-10-04-OHCHR-36th-periodic-report-ukraine-en.pdf) | OHCHR (36th report) identified by name 15 civilians who died in the flood, including in Oleshky; recorded that volunteers were blocked from reaching about 600 people in central Oleshky and the arrest of three volunteers on June 6 and one more on June 9; reported the transfer of 28 children from an Oleshky institution to Crimea (par. 92). [IN3] |
| Dec. 28, 2023 | [Associated Press](https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2023/12/28/at-least-hundreds-died-in-floods-after-ukraine-dam-collapse-far-more-than-russia-said/) | AP found that the occupation authorities deliberately understated the number of flood deaths: in Oleshky at least hundreds, 200–300 by medics’ estimates, against 59 according to Russia. [IN4] |
| March 26, 2024 | [OHCHR, 38th report](https://ukraine.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-03-26%20OHCHR%2038th%20Periodic%20Report.pdf) | OHCHR received credible allegations of extrajudicial executions of 10 civilians, almost all in Kherson Oblast, “such as Oleshky,” and noted that these cases require further verification. [IN5] |

### Timeline of the response in 2026

| Date | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2026 | [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/humanitarian-catastrophe-nearly-2-000-ukrainian-civilians-trapped-in-russian-occupied-oleshky-with-no-way-to-evacuate-little-food/) | Kyiv Independent (April 15): about 2,000 civilians trapped in Oleshky — the earliest open-access article among the listed outlets for 2026. |
| April 27, 2026 | [Novaya Gazeta Europe](https://novayagazeta.eu/en/articles/2026/04/27/the-dog-lay-down-and-died-too-en) | Novaya Gazeta Europe (April 27): a report on ~2,000 residents; Saldo calls the crisis «брехливою київською пропагандою» [“false Kyiv propaganda”]. |
| June 25, 2026 | [UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU)](https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Desperate-situation-for-civilians-trapped-in-frontline-areas-says-UN-Human-Rights-Ukraine) | UN human rights mission (June 25): up to 6,000 civilians, at least 29 killed and 54 injured in Oleshky and Hola Prystan in 2026; it called for a local ceasefire. |
| Sept. 16, 2026 | [Ombudsman Lubinets (via Kyiv Independent)](https://kyivindependent.com/volunteer-urges-residents-to-leave-oleshky-in-evacuation-as-town-may-face-greater-destruction/) | Lubinets (Sept. 16): more than 6,000 people, ~200 children, 358 in need of immediate evacuation; the ICRC is ready, Russia has not confirmed. |
| Sept. 22, 2026 | [Reuters (via Internazionale)](https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/09/22/kremlin-says-military-is-working-to-resolve-humanitarian-crisis-in-russian-controlled-oleshky) | Reuters (Sept. 22): Ukraine urges the UN to act; the Kremlin acknowledges a critical shortage but blames Kyiv. |
| Sept. 23, 2026 | [Sybiha at the UN (via UNN)](https://unn.ua/en/news/hear-the-cry-for-help-sybiha-on-the-sidelines-of-the-un-called-on-the-world-to-save-the-residents-of-oleshky-from-a-humanitarian-catastrophe) | Sybiha at the UN (Sept. 23) demanded that the world pressure Russia over humanitarian corridors; no separate UN Security Council meeting on Oleshky was found. |
| Sept. 25, 2026 | [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/International/horror-movie-ukraines-oleshky-faces-catastrophe-russian-occupation/story?id=136685568) | ABC News (Sept. 25): «Блокада повна» [“The blockade is complete”] — residents are fleeing, hunger is deepening. |
| Sept. 25, 2026 | [Council of Europe Commissioner O’Flaherty (via European Pravda)](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2026/09/25/7246287/) | Council of Europe Commissioner O’Flaherty (Sept. 25) called for an immediate local ceasefire and access for humanitarian workers. |
| Oct. 1, 2026 | [EU at the OSCE Permanent Council](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/vienna-international-organisations/eu-statement-humanitarian-situation-ukrainian-city-oleshky-temporarily-occupied-russian-federation_en) | The EU at the OSCE Permanent Council (Oct. 1) called on Russia to ensure humanitarian access to Oleshky. |
| Oct. 3, 2026 | [RFE/RL](https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-oleshky-blockade-drone-strikes-kherson/33867247.html) | RFE/RL (Oct. 3): «Помремо цієї осені» [“We will die this fall”] — a report on a total blockade; mentions Ukrainian estimates of at least 500 killed in the 2023 flood. |
| Oct. 5, 2026 | [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/5/in-russia-occupied-oleshky-ukrainians-face-hunger-drones-and-landmines) | Al Jazeera (Oct. 5): hunger, drones and mines in Oleshky. |
| Oct. 8, 2026 | [Reuters (via The Star)](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/10/08/people-in-russian-occupied-ukrainian-town-risk-039road-of-death039-to-get-food) | Reuters (Oct. 8): residents risk the “road of death” to get food. |
| Oct. 13, 2026 | [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/13/people-survive-on-one-meal-a-day-oleshky-official-warns-against-giving-russia-more-territo) | Euronews (Oct. 13): interview with Hasanenko — ~2,000 people, 35 children, one meal a day. |
| Oct. 16, 2026 | [Pope Leo XIV and Putin (via Euronews)](https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/pope-leo-xiv-urges-putin-to-agree-to-truce-in-besieged-ukrainian-city-of-oleshky) | Pope Leo XIV phoned Putin (Oct. 16) to ask for a truce in Oleshky; the Kremlin put the responsibility on Kyiv but agreed to cooperate. |
| Oct. 20, 2026 | [Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament (via Meduza)](https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/20/european-parliament-vice-president-pina-picierno-announces-hunger-strike-to-draw-international-attention-to-civilians-trapped-in-russian-occupied-oleshky-ukraine) | European Parliament Vice-President Picierno announced a hunger strike (Oct. 20); no separate European Parliament resolution on Oleshky was found. |
| Oct. 23, 2026 | [White House (via Al Jazeera)](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/23/white-house-says-melania-trump-secured-a-ceasefire-in-ukraines-oleshky) | White House: Melania Trump secured a local ceasefire in Oleshky (Oct. 23); Russia announced a start on Oct. 27. |
| Oct. 27, 2026 | [Ceasefire (via LIGA.net)](https://news.liga.net/en/politics/news/melania-trump-announces-expansion-of-oleshky-ceasefire) | The ceasefire began on Oct. 27 at 3 a.m. Kyiv time and runs until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1; the zone was expanded beyond Oleshky; no violations were recorded. |

## 19 stories: who responded, and when

Institutions responded to 11 of the 19 stories. [CS1] Responses came faster to events such as the flood; chronic problems — hunger, medicine, places of detention — waited longest.

**When Oleshky reports got a response: 19 stories**

| Story | National media | International media | Institutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 21, 2022: soldiers took away a local resident | 1 h |  |  |
| March 23, 2022: director of a Kherson theater detained | <1 h | 6 days |  |
| April 5–6, 2022: mayor left over a threat | <1 h |  |  |
| May 11, 2022: occupation forces posted a video of an interrogation with torture | 5 h |  | 72 days |
| Sept. 24, 2022: three men abducted | 3 h |  |  |
| Testimony about places of detention and torture, 2023–2026 | 2.1 years |  | 3.6 years |
| June 27, 2022: Russian passport issuing office opened | <1 h | 4 days |  |
| Work, medical care and aid tied to a passport, 2022–2026 | 9 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Oct. 21–23, 2022: children taken from a boarding school to Crimea | 1.9 days | 2 days | 12 months |
| June 6, 2023: Oleshky under water | <1 h | 7 h | 2.5 days |
| June 6–8, 2023: witnesses say evacuation was blocked | 11 h | 19 h | 2 days |
| June 7–8, 2023: the first deaths | 9 h | 19 h | 2.5 days |
| June 7–8, 2023: satellite images of the flooding | <1 h | 1 h | 8.8 days |
| Shortage of medicine and insulin, 2022–2026 | <1 h | 3.4 years | 3.5 years |
| Mayor and police speak of looting, 2022–2023 | <1 h |  |  |
| Electricity and communications cut off, 2022–2026 | 13 months | 12 months |  |
| Food shortage in the city, 2025–2026 | 12 months | 16 months | 17 months |
| Jan. 17, 2026: evacuation vehicle hit a mine | 3.1 days |  |  |
| Strikes on convoys and food delivered by drone, 2025–2026 | 4 months | 4 months | 4 months |

*Time from the first post from the city to the first response. A dash means no response was found. Each story title links to its description. Source: the first posts from the city and the first reports by media and institutions, listed in the “Quotations and links” section.*

## Conclusions

1. Oleshky is in a humanitarian catastrophe. According to HRMMU, there have been no regular food deliveries since May 26, 2026, and evacuation was nearly impossible until the ceasefire of Oct. 27. [F6,S16]
2. Similar problems had been reported from the city earlier: electricity and phone service from May 2022, medicine from December 2022, places of detention from January 2023, food shortages from February 2025. [FP1,SP1,SP2]
3. The response came late. National media responded to the electricity and phone reports 13 months later and to the places of detention 2.1 years later. Web outlets wrote about the hunger of 2026 after 25 days, DW after 105. [SP2,CH5]
4. In 2024–2025 the city nearly vanished from the news: 50 posts by officials in two years, and 38% of the 2025 views went to Russian and occupation channels. [AM-F1,VO1]
5. Until 2026, statements dominated; the only actions were the volunteers’ boats in 2023. In 2026 came food by drone, the evacuation of 32 people in May, the ceasefire from Oct. 27 and an evacuation from Oct. 30. How many people left is not known. [AC1,S16,S18]

## First signals, 2022–2023

Before the hunger: detentions, passports, children, the destruction of the dam.

## 2022: detentions and passports

Ukrainian media picked this up within an hour to a day, Radio Svoboda after 4 and 6 days. AP and Amnesty International wrote about the passport as a condition for aid after 346 and 352 days. [CS1,CS2,CS3]

### March 21, 2022: soldiers took away a local resident

On March 21, 2022, the mayor of Oleshky said in a video address that Russian troops had taken a local young man; he was released a few hours later.

Details

### March 23, 2022: director of a Kherson theater detained

On March 23, 2022, the mayor said Russian troops had arrested the director of the Kherson regional theater in Kherson; Ukrainian media reported within hours, Radio Svoboda six days later.

Details

### April 5–6, 2022: mayor left over a threat

On April 5–6, 2022, the mayor said on Facebook that he had taken his daughter out and left after receiving information about a threat; national media responded within an hour.

Details

### May 11, 2022: occupation forces posted a video of an interrogation with torture

On May 11, 2022, the occupiers posted a video of an Oleshky resident’s interrogation; Ombudswoman Liudmyla Denisova called it electric-current torture and urged the UN and OSCE to respond.

Details

### Sept. 24, 2022: three men abducted

On Sept. 24, 2022, Kherson Oblast police reported the abduction of three men in Oleshky and Nova Kakhovka and five young people in Kherson; where they are is unknown.

Details

### June 27, 2022: Russian passport issuing office opened

On June 27, 2022, an office issuing Russian passports opened in Oleshky; the mayor told Suspilne that 20–30 people came to submit documents.

Details

### Work, medical care and aid tied to a passport, 2022–2026

On June 28, 2022, the mayor said doctors at the “re-registered” hospital need a Russian passport; in 2026, humanitarian aid and departure were also tied to a passport.

Details

## October 2022: children from the Oleshky boarding school

On March 17, 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova over the alleged unlawful deportation of children, but there is no document about the boarding school. [IN7] The UN responded after 347 days, The Independent after 559. [CS4]

**How many children were taken from the boarding school, according to different sources. The numbers refer to different dates and groups, so they cannot be added together. Where the children are now has not been publicly confirmed. S4**

| How many children | Who gave the figure | When |
|---|---|---|
| 16 taken away | the mayor of Oleshky, on his Telegram channel | Oct. 21, 2022 |
| 12 in Crimea; 82 in the institution, 40 of them palliative-care patients | Office of the President (Andriy Yermak’s Telegram) | Oct. 23, 2022 |
| 52 pupils in Crimea | Maria Lvova-Belova, according to The Independent | Nov. 12, 2022 |
| 28 children transferred to Crimea | OHCHR, 36th report, para. 92 | Oct. 4, 2023 |
| 46 of 84 located | Emile Foundation, as relayed by bigmir.net | June 23, 2026 |

On Oct. 21, 2022, the mayor reported 16 children taken from the boarding school, and on Oct. 23 Andriy Yermak reported 12 pupils in Crimea; other numbers were given later.

Details

## Testimony about places of detention and torture

On Sept. 12, 2026, prosecutors announced a suspicion notice against a platoon commander who, after the dam fell, “set up a torture site for civilians”; first testimony: January 2023.

Details

### Mayor and police speak of looting, 2022–2023

On Oct. 1, 2022, police reported looting in Kherson, Oleshky and Beryslav; during the flood, the mayor said Russian troops had taken a boat from volunteers.

Details

### Electricity and communications cut off, 2022–2026

A power outage in Oleshky appeared in an official summary on March 4, 2022; on May 29, 2022, a regional channel subscriber wrote that there was no connection.

Details

A national report came out 2.1 years after the first testimony, and a notice of suspicion 3.6 years after; there are no international reports. [SP2]

## June 6, 2023: the flooding of Oleshky

On June 6, 2023, the Kakhovka dam was destroyed; we do not assess who is responsible. According to HRW, 90% of Oleshky was under water on June 14; UNOSAT estimated it from an image of June 7. [RL3,IN2,S3] The first post about the threat appeared at 03:28 UTC. [FP1]

**Posts about Oleshky by hour, June 6–7, 2023**

| Hour (UTC) | Total | Local residents and eyewitnesses | National media | Occupation-controlled and Russian channels | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 6 03:00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Jun 6 04:00 | 30 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 10 |
| Jun 6 05:00 | 37 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 10 |
| Jun 6 06:00 | 49 | 8 | 9 | 24 | 8 |
| Jun 6 07:00 | 75 | 37 | 5 | 21 | 12 |
| Jun 6 08:00 | 67 | 24 | 5 | 26 | 12 |
| Jun 6 09:00 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Jun 6 10:00 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Jun 6 11:00 | 31 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| Jun 6 12:00 | 37 | 8 | 2 | 23 | 4 |
| Jun 6 13:00 | 36 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 11 |
| Jun 6 14:00 | 170 | 80 | 19 | 41 | 30 |
| Jun 6 15:00 | 146 | 55 | 21 | 44 | 26 |
| Jun 6 16:00 | 97 | 38 | 7 | 38 | 14 |
| Jun 6 17:00 | 46 | 17 | 8 | 16 | 5 |
| Jun 6 18:00 | 52 | 23 | 4 | 14 | 11 |
| Jun 6 19:00 | 66 | 18 | 6 | 28 | 14 |
| Jun 6 20:00 | 47 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 15 |
| Jun 6 21:00 | 26 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Jun 6 22:00 | 28 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Jun 6 23:00 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 7 00:00 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 7 01:00 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Jun 7 02:00 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Jun 7 03:00 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jun 7 04:00 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Jun 7 05:00 | 45 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 8 |
| Jun 7 06:00 | 74 | 34 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Jun 7 07:00 | 68 | 33 | 11 | 9 | 15 |
| Jun 7 08:00 | 106 | 64 | 12 | 12 | 18 |
| Jun 7 09:00 | 82 | 34 | 18 | 4 | 26 |
| Jun 7 10:00 | 61 | 24 | 11 | 2 | 24 |
| Jun 7 11:00 | 62 | 30 | 9 | 10 | 13 |
| Jun 7 12:00 | 44 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Jun 7 13:00 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
| Jun 7 14:00 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
| Jun 7 15:00 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Jun 7 16:00 | 37 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 7 17:00 | 54 | 27 | 8 | 4 | 15 |
| Jun 7 18:00 | 84 | 36 | 15 | 7 | 26 |
| Jun 7 19:00 | 56 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 19 |
| Jun 7 20:00 | 32 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
| Jun 7 21:00 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Jun 7 22:00 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jun 7 23:00 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 |

*Telegram posts about Oleshky by hour and channel type; time in UTC. Numbers 1–3 refer to the events in the list below. Source: Telegram channels that wrote about Oleshky.*

[Image: Detail of a satellite flood map after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam: shades of purple show water depth on the left bank of the Dnipro around Oleshky, Solontsi and Velyka Kardashynka, across from Kherson.]

*Calculated flood depth, June 6–10, 2023, around Kherson and Oleshky (Oleshky is at right). Detail of the daily ERCC/JRC (DG ECHO) map of June 12, 2023, using MODIS and JRC-GLOFAS data; the English labels are the original ones. © European Union, 2023.*

### June 6, 2023: Oleshky under water

On June 6, 2023, at 07:53 UTC Suspilne Kherson relayed the mayor’s words about flooding; OCHA named Oleshky in an update only two and a half days later.

Details

### June 6–8, 2023: witnesses say evacuation was blocked

ZMINA, UNIAN, Politico and the Guardian wrote that evacuation was blocked and departure required a Russian passport; on June 14, 2023, HRW recorded the city was closed.

Details

### June 7–8, 2023: the first deaths

On June 7, 2023, the mayor named the first dead; on June 8 a volunteer coordinator spoke of “hundreds”; on Dec. 28, AP wrote “at least hundreds.”

Details

### June 7–8, 2023: satellite images of the flooding

On June 8, 2023, the NYT published a satellite summary in which the mayor put the flooding at 85 percent; per OCHA, UNOSAT on June 13 called Oleshky “mostly dry.”

Details

## 2023: how many people died

Only on Dec. 28, 2023, 203 days after the volunteers’ words, did AP write of “at least hundreds” dead. [LR6,IN3,IN4]

**How many people died in the flooding, according to different sources. In its report of Oct. 4, 2023, OHCHR identified 15 people who died, including in Oleshky, and did not give its own overall figure. LR6, IN3, IN4**

| Who | Flood deaths | When |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor of Oleshky | 3; the next day, 9 | June 7–8, 2023 |
| Volunteer coordinator | “hundreds” | June 8, 2023 |
| Ukraine’s Interior Ministry (according to OHCHR) | 34 in the whole flood zone | by Oct. 4, 2023 |
| Occupation authorities (according to OHCHR) | 55 on their side | by Oct. 4, 2023 |
| Occupation authorities (according to AP) | 59 on their side | by Dec. 28, 2023 |
| AP, its own investigation | “at least hundreds” in Oleshky | Dec. 28, 2023 |

## How we checked

We collected all publications that mention Oleshky: 55,722 posts from 15,303 Telegram channels, 25,752 web items and the English-language GDELT feed. [M1]

We identified the stories with narrative-detection tools, which group publications by topic and time and show where a report first appeared and who picked it up. For each story we found the earliest post from the city, then the first reports by national and international media and institutions. Every quotation was checked against its original source.

## Appendix

### Quotations and links

Each row is an exact quotation from the source, with the publication time in UTC. Evidence is grouped by episode.

### March 21, 2022: soldiers took away a local resident

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-21 09:27:37 | Suspilne Kherson (Telegram, from the Oleshky mayor's video address) | «російські військові напідпитку серед білого дня забрали місцевого хлопця»“Russian soldiers, drunk, in broad daylight took away a local young man” | [Telegram: Suspilne Kherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/9666) |
| 2022-03-21 10:39:00 | TSN.ua (web) | «військові РФ напідпитку забрали хлопця»“Russian troops, drunk, took away a young man” | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ato/v-oleshkah-na-hersonschini-viyskovi-rf-napidpitku-zabrali-hlopcya-2015359.html) |

### March 23, 2022: director of a Kherson theater detained

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-23 08:07:01 | Suspilne Kherson (Telegram, from the Oleshky mayor's video address) | «заарештували директора Херсонського обласного музично-драматичного театру»“they arrested the director of the Kherson Regional Music and Drama Theater” | [Telegram: Suspilne Kherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/9756) |
| 2022-03-23 08:39:00 | Ukrinform (web) | «Про це у відеозверненні у Фейсбуці повідомив Олешківський міський голова»“This was reported in a video address on Facebook by the Oleshky mayor” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3437487-vijska-rf-vikrali-gendirektora-hersonskogo-oblmuzdramteatru.html) |
| 2022-03-29 07:37:00 | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Ukrainian service) | «23 березня російські військові затримали його, про що у відеозверненні сказав Олешківський міський голова»“On March 23 Russian troops detained him, as the Oleshky mayor said in a video address” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-vtorhnennya-rosiyi-peresliduvannya/31774842.html) |

### April 5–6, 2022: mayor left over a threat

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-06 09:00:10 | Kavun.City (Telegram, quoting the Oleshky mayor's Facebook post) | «мертвий мер чи мер у підвалі нікому користі не принесе»“a dead mayor or a mayor in a basement will be of no use to anyone” | [Telegram: Kavun.City](https://t.me/kavuncity/9465) |
| 2022-04-06 10:01:00 | TSN.ua (web) | «мертвий мер чи мер у підвалі нікому користі не принесе»“a dead mayor or a mayor in a basement will be of no use to anyone” | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mertviy-mer-koristi-ne-prinese-ochilnik-oleshok-viyihav-z-mista-2030248.html) |

### May 11, 2022: occupation forces posted a video of an interrogation with torture

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-11 06:03:00 | Ukrinform (web), quoting a regional council deputy | «Декілька днів тому з'явилось відео, як "браві" росгвардійці арештовують місцевого в Олешках»“A few days ago a video appeared of "brave" Rosgvardia troops arresting a local man in Oleshky” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3480295-zagarbniki-pokazali-dopit-z-torturami-meskanca-hersonsini.html) |
| 2022-05-11 10:53:11 | Ombudsperson L. Denisova (Telegram) | «Окупанти виклали у вільний доступ відео допиту викраденого ними мешканця Олешків на Херсонщині»“The occupiers made publicly available a video of the interrogation of an Oleshky resident of Kherson region abducted by them” | [Telegram: Ombudsperson L. Denisova](https://t.me/denisova_liudmyla/5912) |
| 2022-07-22 04:01:00 | Human Rights Watch (a different case: detention on April 7, 2022) | «came to the home of Stepan, 49, a driving instructor, in the town of Oleshky in Kherson region»“came to the home of Stepan, 49, a driving instructor, in the town of Oleshky in Kherson region” | [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south) |

### Sept. 24, 2022: three men abducted

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-09-24 14:30:48 | Kavun.City (Telegram, from a Kherson region police report) | «В Олешках та Новій Каховці викрали трьох чоловіків»“In Oleshky and Nova Kakhovka three men were abducted” | [Telegram: Kavun.City](https://t.me/kavuncity/18992) |
| 2022-09-24 17:35:00 | LB.ua (web) | «В Олешках та Новій Каховці викрали трьох чоловіків»“In Oleshky and Nova Kakhovka three men were abducted” | [LB.ua](https://lb.ua/society/2022/09/24/530487_hersonshchini_vorog_obstrilyav_7.html) |

### June 27, 2022: Russian passport issuing office opened

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-06-27 12:00:38 | NewDay (Telegram, from the mayor's account to Suspilne) | «Окупанти відкрили пункт видачі російських паспортів в Олешках»“The occupiers opened a point for issuing Russian passports in Oleshky” | [Telegram: NewDay](https://t.me/newdayuaua/996) |
| 2022-06-27 12:00:38 | Suspilne (source, visible only through a NewDay repost) | «Про це Суспільному розповів міський голова Олешків Євген Рищук»“The mayor of Oleshky, Yevhen Ryshchuk, told this to Suspilne” | [Telegram: Suspilne](https://t.me/newdayuaua/996) |
| 2022-07-01 12:11:00 | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Ukrainian service), words of an official | «Вони налагоджують цю роботу в Олешках і багато агітують місцевих отримати цей документ»“They are setting up this work in Oleshky and campaigning a lot for locals to get this document” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novosti-priazovya-rossiyskaya-pasportizatsiya-okkupatsiya/31924446.html) |

### Work, medical care and aid tied to a passport, 2022–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-06-28 13:10:00 | Radio Svoboda (Ukrainian), words of the Oleshky mayor | «Відповідно, вони мають отримати російський паспорт.»“Accordingly, they have to get a Russian passport.” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-medytsyna-okupatsiya-mariupol-kherson-berdyansk/31919460.html) |
| 2023-01-26 16:03:48 | rayon_kherson (Telegram, from the mayor's message) | «лікарів, хто відмовиться від російського паспорту , звільняють»“doctors who refuse a Russian passport are being dismissed” | [Telegram: rayon_kherson](https://t.me/rayon_kherson/821) |
| 2023-03-30 12:50:00 | Radio Svoboda (Ukrainian), words of the Oleshky mayor, March 30, 2023 | «Ті люди, які звертаються у лікарню і в них немає паспортів РФ, їм не надають медичної допомоги»“Those people who come to the hospital and do not have Russian passports are not given medical care” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-armiya-rosiyi-pivden-kontrnastup-zsu/32340694.html) |
| 2023-06-09 11:59:00 | AP (web, in the collected materials) | «Some say the soldiers will only help people with Russian passports.»“Some say the soldiers will only help people with Russian passports.” | [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-dam-flood-4905fbed912e2c3bdf5cda8b2313bf5c) |
| 2023-06-15 12:06:00 | Amnesty International (web, in the collected materials) | «taking evacuees without Russian passports through 'filtration'»“taking evacuees without Russian passports through 'filtration'” | [Amnesty International](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/06/ukraine-callous-disregard-for-human-life-of-russian-forces-response-to-kakhovkha-dam-destruction-compounded-by-its-disastrous-effects-upstream) |
| 2024-05-02 13:25:55 | The Independent (web) | «forced into adopting Russian passports in order to secure treatment or care»“forced into adopting Russian passports in order to secure treatment or care” | [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-kinap-disability-b2535322.html) |

### Oct. 21–23, 2022: children taken from a boarding school to Crimea

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-17 10:15:39 | nikilaev_kyrilka (Telegram, repost of Suspilne, March 17, 2022; aid to the boarding school) | «Окупанти на блокпосту забрали частину того, що везли дітям»“The occupiers at a checkpoint took part of what was being brought for the children” | [Telegram: nikilaev_kyrilka](https://t.me/nikilaev_kyrilka/1068) |
| 2022-10-21 16:19:24 | Oleshky mayor Ye. Ryshchuk (Telegram, official) | «Сьогодні окупанти вивезли із Олешківський дитячого будинку -інтернату 16 дітей.»“Today the occupiers took 16 children out of the Oleshky children's boarding home.” | [Telegram: Oleshky mayor Ye. Ryshchuk](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604) |
| 2022-10-23 14:32:22 | Ye. Yermak, head of the Office of the President (Telegram) | «примусово вивозять дітей з інвалідністю, які проживають в Олешківському дитячому будинку-інтернаті»“they are forcibly removing children with disabilities who live in the Oleshky children's boarding home” | [Telegram: Ye. Yermak](https://t.me/ermaka2022/1512) |
| 2022-10-23 16:19:00 | Deutsche Welle (Ukrainian), live blog of Oct. 23, 2022 | «Російські окупанти вивозять дітей з інвалідністю, які проживають в дитячому будинку-інтернаті в місті Олешки Херсонської області»“Russian occupiers are removing children with disabilities who live in the children's boarding home in the city of Oleshky, Kherson region” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/kuleba-zaklikav-uradi-svitu-zaboroniti-rt/a-63529641) |
| 2023-05-31 04:14:00 | BBC News Mundo (web) | «incluida otra escuela especial en Oleshki»“including another special school in Oleshki” | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-65760199) |
| 2024-05-02 13:25:55 | The Independent (web) | «At least 82 children, aged between four and 18 were registered as living there.»“At least 82 children, aged between four and 18 were registered as living there.” | [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-kinap-disability-b2535322.html) |

### Testimony about places of detention and torture, 2023–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-24 15:14:01 | Khersonline (Telegram, testimony of a Kherson resident) | «І в СІЗО в Олешках. Росіяни знущалися над людьми.»“And in the pretrial detention center in Oleshky. The Russians tormented people.” | [Telegram: Khersonline](https://t.me/hersono/5056) |
| 2025-02-25 09:01:03 | RBC-Ukraine (web), account of a sailor from Oleshky | «його забрали в катівню, спочатку давали час "подумати", а потім почали катувати»“they took him to a torture chamber, at first gave him time to "think", and then began to torture him” | [RBC-Ukraine](https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/maksim-tsutskiridze-natspolitsiya-okupanti-1740429841.html) |
| 2026-09-12 05:35:19 | Bez Tabu / Ukrinform, from a Prosecutor General's Office report (Sept. 2026) | «влаштував катівню для цивільних у затоплених Олешках»“set up a torture chamber for civilians in flooded Oleshky” | [Bez Tabu](https://beztabu.net/katuvannya-na-devyatomu-poversi-zatoplenogo-mista-identifikovano-okupanta-yakij-znushchavsya-z-civilnih-v-oleshkah_n80993) |
| 2026-10-14 23:02:46 | Lenta.ru, Russia at the UN (Nebenzya): inversion of accusations, not an independent institution | «Алешки Херсонской области он назвал одним из примеров подобной политики.»“He named Aleshky in Kherson region as one of the examples of such a policy.” | [Lenta.ru](https://lenta.ru/news/2026/10/15/nebenzya-zayavil-o-pytochnoy-politike-kieva-protiv-mirnyh-zhiteley) |

### June 6, 2023: Oleshky under water

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-06 07:53:32 | suspilnekherson | «В Олешківській громаді підтоплені Кринки та населені пункти Козачелагірської сільради»“In the Oleshky community Krynky and the settlements of the Kozachi Lahery village council are flooded” | [Telegram: suspilnekherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/27183) |
| 2023-06-06 08:15:19 | vgorunews | «В Олешках через підтоплення жителям приватних будинків уже доводиться перебиратися на другий поверх»“In Oleshky, because of flooding, residents of private houses already have to move to the second floor” | [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/15821) |
| 2023-06-06 15:40:00 | TSN.ua | «Олешки пішло під воду»“Oleshky has gone under water” | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ato/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-okupovane-misto-oleshki-pishlo-pid-vodu-motoroshni-foto-ta-video-2344798.html) |
| 2023-06-06 15:47:00 | POLITICO | «water is approaching the houses there»“water is approaching the houses there” | [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/dam-sabotage-ukraine-worst-environmental-disaster-chernobyl) |
| 2023-06-06 18:11:38 | oleshki_uaa | «дах знесло, самі не можуть евакуюватись»“the roof was blown off, they cannot evacuate themselves” | [Telegram: oleshki_uaa](https://t.me/oleshki_uaa/95) |
| 2023-06-06 19:05:53 | defender_skadovsk | «НА ДАХУ ЛІТНЬОЇ КУХНІ СИДЯТЬ ДВІ ЖІНКИ»“TWO WOMEN ARE SITTING ON THE ROOF OF A SUMMER KITCHEN” | [Telegram: defender_skadovsk](https://t.me/defender_skadovsk/6204) |
| 2023-06-08 20:27:00 | ReliefWeb | «uncorroborated reports shared by media and civil society organizations about people stranded in the worst-affected parts of the Russian-controlled areas, including Hola Prystan and Oleshky towns»“uncorroborated reports shared by media and civil society organizations about people stranded in the worst-affected parts of the Russian-controlled areas, including Hola Prystan and Oleshky towns” | [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-3-destruction-kakhovka-dam-8-jun-2023) |

### June 6–8, 2023: witnesses say evacuation was blocked

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-06 08:15:19 | vgorunews | «росіяни тікають, кидаючи людей напризволяще»“the Russians are fleeing, abandoning people to their fate” | [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/15821) |
| 2023-06-06 20:12:14 | zmina_ua | «Росіяни не дають евакуювати з Олешок людей, в яких немає російських паспортів»“The Russians do not allow people without Russian passports to be evacuated from Oleshky” | [Telegram: zmina_ua](https://t.me/zmina_ua/10054) |
| 2023-06-06 21:33:08 | vizjastudy | «по всій території затоплення не пускають людей, тупо розвертають»“they are not letting people through anywhere across the flooded area, they simply turn them back” | [Telegram: vizjastudy](https://t.me/vizjastudy/879) |
| 2023-06-07 07:12:00 | unian | «окупанти не пускають волонтерів, які могли б вивезти людей самотужки»“the occupiers do not let in volunteers who could take people out on their own” | [UNIAN](https://www.unian.ua/society/v-zatoplenih-oleshkah-nemaye-evakuaciji-okupanti-ne-propuskayut-volonteriv-mistyanka-12284862.html) |
| 2023-06-07 15:45:00 | POLITICO | «Russian troops blocked them and forced them to return home»“Russian troops blocked them and forced them to return home” | [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-evacuates-civilians-flooded-towns-help-unanswered-russia-occupied-territory-nova-kakhovka-dam-kherson-dnipro-river) |
| 2023-06-08 12:53:00 | The Guardian | «Russian forces were preventing local volunteers from evacuating»“Russian forces were preventing local volunteers from evacuating” | [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/russian-forces-accused-of-blocking-flood-evacuation-efforts) |
| 2023-06-08 20:27:00 | ReliefWeb | «due to a lack of access for aid workers and volunteer groups»“due to a lack of access for aid workers and volunteer groups” | [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-3-destruction-kakhovka-dam-8-jun-2023) |
| 2023-06-14 01:13:00 | press.un.org | «the Russian Federation is yet to provide the safety guarantees we need to cross the front line to the left bank of the Dnipro River, including to Oleshky»“the Russian Federation is yet to provide the safety guarantees we need to cross the front line to the left bank of the Dnipro River, including to Oleshky” | [UN Press](https://press.un.org/en/2023/db230613.doc.htm) |
| 2023-06-14 19:00:00 | Human Rights Watch | «Russian occupation authorities shut the town down for entry and exit, effectively locking people inside»“Russian occupation authorities shut the town down for entry and exit, effectively locking people inside” | [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/14/loss-after-loss-after-loss-dam-destruction-ukraine) |

### June 7–8, 2023: the first deaths

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-07 06:55:00 | oleshki_uaa | «є втоплені , бачили як тіло плаває водою»“there are drowned people, I saw a body floating in the water” | [Telegram: oleshki_uaa](https://t.me/oleshki_uaa/129) |
| 2023-06-07 16:05:00 | espreso.tv | «уже є перші загиблі внаслідок підтоплення»“there are already the first dead as a result of the flooding” | [Espreso TV](https://espreso.tv/pidriv-kakhovskoi-ges-u-oleshkakh-e-pershi-zagibli-mer-rishchuk) |
| 2023-06-08 02:23:00 | The Guardian | «Citing the exiled mayor of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, Yevhen Ryshchuk»“Citing the exiled mayor of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, Yevhen Ryshchuk” | [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/nova-kakhovka-dam-collapse-flood-first-flooding-deaths-reported-ukraine) |
| 2023-06-08 18:09:02 | ukrainenow | «через затоплення загинули дев'ятеро людей»“nine people died because of the flooding” | [Telegram: ukrainenow](https://t.me/ukrainenow/34377) |
| 2023-06-08 21:21:02 | berlinspeaks | «Волонтеры заявили о сотнях погибших на оккупированных РФ территориях»“Volunteers reported hundreds of dead in the Russian-occupied territories” | [Telegram: berlinspeaks](https://t.me/berlinspeaks/4934) |
| 2023-06-09 19:41:00 | ReliefWeb | «at least 8 people reportedly died in the flooding»“at least 8 people reportedly died in the flooding” | [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-4-destruction-kakhovka-dam-9-jun-2023) |
| 2023-12-28 05:29:53 | Yahoo News | «AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods after Ukraine dam collapse, far more than Russia said»“AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods after Ukraine dam collapse, far more than Russia said” | [Yahoo News](https://news.yahoo.com/ap-concludes-least-hundreds-died-052953487.html) |

### June 7–8, 2023: satellite images of the flooding

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-07 00:00:20 | khersonnewsru | «К этой минуте полностью затоплен город Алешки»“As of this minute the city of Aleshky is completely flooded” | [Telegram: khersonnewsru](https://t.me/khersonnewsru/51493) |
| 2023-06-07 19:25:29 | ukrainian_videos | «Нові супутникові знімки затоплених територій Херсонщини»“New satellite images of the flooded territories of Kherson region” | [Telegram: ukrainian_videos](https://t.me/ukrainian_videos/132554) |
| 2023-06-07 20:49:00 | Yahoo Sports | «it is the Russian-controlled east bank that has borne the brunt of the damage, according to satellite images and video footage»“it is the Russian-controlled east bank that has borne the brunt of the damage, according to satellite images and video footage” | [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/ukrainians-occupied-bank-dnipro-river-204929719.html) |
| 2023-06-08 10:31:00 | The New York Times | «Residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, pleaded for help in chat groups»“Residents of the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, pleaded for help in chat groups” | [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/world/europe/ukraine-dam-flooding-satellite-images.html) |
| 2023-06-16 15:32:00 | ReliefWeb | «appeared to be mostly dry on 13 June, according to the images captured by UNOSAT»“appeared to be mostly dry on 13 June, according to the images captured by UNOSAT” | [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-7-destruction-kakhovka-dam-16-jun-2023) |

### Shortage of medicine and insulin, 2022–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-14 11:49:00 | Ukrinform | «потрібен був терміново інсулін, людина вже й зір втрачала»“insulin was urgently needed, the person was already losing eyesight” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3633943-ak-hersonski-volonteri-ludej-ratuvali.html) |
| 2023-06-09 12:46:00 | The Insider | «направить туда лекарства и инсулин»“will send medicines and insulin there” | [The Insider](https://theins.ru/news/262444) |
| 2023-10-04 04:56:47 | hersono | «інсулін не отримаєш без паспорта»“you will not get insulin without a passport” | [Telegram: hersono](https://t.me/hersono/10857) |
| 2025-02-02 06:41:31 | potipomu | «У меня есть списки ,а в них : диабетик, лежачие, маломобильные»“I have lists, and in them: diabetics, bedridden, people with limited mobility” | [Telegram: potipomu](https://t.me/potipomu/120) |
| 2026-02-06 17:31:02 | newspn | «в місті дефіцит ліків та починається голод»“there is a shortage of medicines in the city and hunger is beginning” | [Telegram: newspn](https://t.me/newspn/168622) |
| 2026-05-16 05:50:44 | Deutsche Welle | «Майже не завозять ліки»“Medicines are hardly delivered at all” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/v-oleskah-golod-ukraina-prosit-dopomogti-z-evakuacieu/a-77175965) |
| 2026-06-25 15:31:38 | UN News | «нехваткой продовольствия и отсутствием медицинской помощи»“a shortage of food and a lack of medical care” | [UN News](https://news.un.org/ru/story/2026/06/1468179) |
| 2026-10-24 04:20:41 | vesti.ru | «В населенном пункте Алешки в Херсонской области не хватает инсулина»“There is a shortage of insulin in the settlement of Aleshky in Kherson region” | [Vesti](https://www.vesti.ru/ns/lantratova-zayavila-o-nekhvatke-insulina-v-aleshkakh) |

### Mayor and police speak of looting, 2022–2023

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-10-01 16:04:00 | Censor.NET | «З тимчасово окупованих Херсона, Олешок та Берислава продовжує надходити інформація про факти мародерст»“Information continues to come in from temporarily occupied Kherson, Oleshky and Beryslav about cases of looting” | [Censor.NET](https://censor.net/ua/news/3370869/okupanty_vykraly_troh_volonteriv_u_hersoni_politsiya) |
| 2022-11-21 13:01:32 | medianova | «Грабують, - повідомляє Олешківський міський голова Євген Рищук»“They are looting, the Oleshky mayor Yevhen Ryshchuk reports” | [Telegram: medianova](https://t.me/medianova/6739) |
| 2022-12-04 20:07:06 | ua_lives | «Ввічливо розмовляють, дивляться в очі і грабують»“They speak politely, look you in the eye and loot” | [Telegram: ua_lives](https://t.me/ua_lives/8424) |
| 2022-12-07 08:56:00 | Radio Svoboda | «як грабували, так і грабують»“they looted before and they are still looting” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-oleshky-nova-kakhovka-kalanchak-okupatsiya/32165414.html) |
| 2023-06-10 09:22:00 | Ukrinform | «У затопленій Олешківській громаді військові РФ займаються мародерством»“In the flooded Oleshky community Russian troops are engaged in looting” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3720946-u-zatoplenij-oleskivskij-gromadi-vijskovi-rf-zajmautsa-maroderstvom-mer.html) |
| 2023-06-10 20:14:25 | euromaidanpress | «Russian troops loot flooded Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, mayor says»“Russian troops loot flooded Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, mayor says” | [Telegram: euromaidanpress](https://t.me/euromaidanpress/33111) |

### Electricity and communications cut off, 2022–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-04 11:47:42 | vgorunews | «Білозерка, Херсон, Олешки - 22 населені пункти без електропостачання»“Bilozerka, Kherson, Oleshky: 22 settlements without electricity” | [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/1793) |
| 2022-05-29 09:59:26 | hueviyherson | «В Олешках связи нет»“There is no communication in Aleshky” | [Telegram: hueviyherson](https://t.me/hueviyherson/19592) |
| 2023-03-06 05:17:57 | zlobnyi_surok | «В Алешках и Голой Пристани отключили связь»“Communication has been cut off in Aleshky and Hola Prystan” | [Telegram: zlobnyi_surok](https://t.me/zlobnyi_surok/9313) |
| 2023-06-06 15:47:00 | POLITICO | «there is no electricity or communication in Oleshki now»“there is no electricity or communication in Oleshki now” | [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/dam-sabotage-ukraine-worst-environmental-disaster-chernobyl) |
| 2023-06-24 06:00:00 | LB.ua | «Місто без світла»“The city without light” | [LB.ua](https://lb.ua/society/2023/06/24/561577_kolis_zelene_misto_posirilo.html) |
| 2023-08-13 20:58:31 | nezlamnioleshky | «В Олешках глушать зв'язок»“Communication is being jammed in Oleshky” | [Telegram: nezlamnioleshky](https://t.me/nezlamnioleshky/274) |
| 2025-08-23 23:06:11 | nezlamnioleshky | «люди ще проживають в ньому без світла,води та газу»“people still live in it without light, water and gas” | [Telegram: nezlamnioleshky](https://t.me/nezlamnioleshky/2894) |

### Food shortage in the city, 2025–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-18 21:30:54 | khersonoleshky | «Після затоплення і обстрілів в місті не залишилось нічого»“After the flooding and shelling nothing is left in the city” | [Telegram: khersonoleshky](https://t.me/khersonoleshky/2570) |
| 2025-02-02 06:41:31 | potipomu | «Нет еды, воды , а кругом смерть.»“There is no food, no water, and death all around.” | [Telegram: potipomu](https://t.me/potipomu/120) |
| 2026-01-31 13:47:27 | kherson_non_fake | «Некоторые люди уже испытывают серьезный дефицит с продуктами, начинается голод.»“Some people are already experiencing a serious shortage of food, hunger is beginning.” | [Telegram: kherson_non_fake](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/27081) |
| 2026-02-06 17:31:02 | newspn | «в місті дефіцит ліків та починається голод»“there is a shortage of medicines in the city and hunger is beginning” | [Telegram: newspn](https://t.me/newspn/168622) |
| 2026-02-25 09:50:00 | Ukrinform | «немає продуктів, тут люди гинуть та зникають»“there is no food, people are dying and disappearing here” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/4095314-okupovane-olessa-evakuacii-bilse-nema-pohoron-rozkis.html) |
| 2026-04-06 10:04:39 | mostks | «6 діб тіло матері лежить у так званому морзі»“for 6 days the mother's body has been lying in the so-called morgue” | [Telegram: mostks](https://t.me/mostks/60931) |
| 2026-05-07 10:29:00 | ipress.ua | «близько 2000 мирних жителів опинилися без доступу до їжі, чистої води та медичної допомоги»“about 2,000 civilians found themselves without access to food, clean water and medical care” | [IPress](https://ipress.ua/news/v_oleshkah_lyudy_zalyshylysya_bez_izhi_ta_vody__the_telegraph_385308.html) |
| 2026-05-16 05:50:44 | Deutsche Welle | «В Олешках голод»“There is hunger in Oleshky” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/v-oleskah-golod-ukraina-prosit-dopomogti-z-evakuacieu/a-77175965) |
| 2026-06-04 15:54:11 | torontotv | «росіяни забирають тіла загиблих мешканців й хоронять їх у невідомих місцях»“the Russians are taking the bodies of dead residents and burying them in unknown places” | [Telegram: torontotv](https://t.me/torontotv/48579) |
| 2026-06-25 15:31:38 | UN News | «нехваткой продовольствия и отсутствием медицинской помощи»“a shortage of food and a lack of medical care” | [UN News](https://news.un.org/ru/story/2026/06/1468179) |
| 2026-09-25 07:20:58 | BBC | «Суп з бур'яну і собаки, які їдять тіла»“Soup made of weeds and dogs eating bodies” | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/ck5ywr7d8x78o) |
| 2026-09-28 16:16:52 | Deutsche Welle | «Каллас про Олешки»“Kallas on Oleshky” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/kallas-gumanitarna-situacia-v-oleskah-ce-nagaduvanna-so-jdetsa-pro-ludej/a-79463994) |

### Jan. 17, 2026: evacuation vehicle hit a mine

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-17 09:17:00 | leftbank2025 | «Трагічна подія в Олешках: евакуація зірвана через підрив на міні»“Tragic event in Oleshky: evacuation foiled by a landmine blast” | [Telegram: leftbank2025](https://t.me/leftbank2025/175) |
| 2026-01-17 12:44:00 | kherson_non_fake | «Информация от местных жителей в оккупированных Олешках»“Information from local residents in occupied Oleshky” | [Telegram: kherson_non_fake](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/26658) |
| 2026-01-18 07:34:07 | nezlamnioleshky | «Під час спроби евакуації автомобіль підірвався на міні на вʼїзді до міста.»“During an evacuation attempt a car hit a mine at the entrance to the city.” | [Telegram: nezlamnioleshky](https://t.me/nezlamnioleshky/3169) |
| 2026-01-20 04:06:20 | RIA Novosti | «В Алешках на мине подорвался гражданский легковой автомобиль, сразу три человека получили ранения»“In Aleshky a civilian passenger car hit a mine, three people were wounded at once” | [RIA Novosti](https://ria.ru/20260120/miroshnik-2068935601.html) |
| 2026-01-20 12:38:08 | OBOZREVATEL | «під час евакуації місцевих жителів на міні підірвався автомобіль, у результаті чого загинув водій»“during the evacuation of local residents a car hit a mine, as a result of which the driver was killed” | [Obozrevatel](https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/novosti-obschestvo/buv-didzheem-zyavilis-dani-pro-vodiya-yakij-pomer-u-likarni-pislya-pidrivu-evakuatsijnogo-avto-na-hersonschini.htm) |

### Strikes on convoys and food delivered by drone, 2025–2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-01 11:50:00 | Daily Mail Online | «At least seven people were killed and more than 20 wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack on a busy market»“At least seven people were killed and more than 20 wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack on a busy market” | [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-14668007/Russian-official-accuses-Ukraine-killing-seven-civilians-drone-strike.html) |
| 2026-05-21 12:01:17 | vgorunews | «Російські військові збивали українські дрони, які намагалися доставити ліки та продукти людям в окупованих Олешках»“Russian troops shot down Ukrainian drones that were trying to deliver medicines and food to people in occupied Oleshky” | [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/53304) |
| 2026-09-01 15:08:58 | kot_k_s | «Сьогодні 01.09.26 під Олешками дронами чітко відпрацювали по машинах»“Today, 01.09.26, near Oleshky they clearly worked over the cars with drones” | [Telegram: kot_k_s](https://t.me/kot_k_s/60305) |
| 2026-09-01 15:43:29 | RT in Russian | «Украинские военные беспилотниками атаковали гуманитарную колонну из четырёх машин»“Ukrainian troops attacked a humanitarian convoy of four vehicles with drones” | [RT](https://russian.rt.com/ussr/news/1676942-vsu-kolonna-mashiny) |
| 2026-09-14 07:28:24 | OBOZ.UA | «1 вересня колону з гуманітарним вантажем, на яку місцеві чекали близько місяця, атакували дрони»“On September 1 drones attacked a convoy with humanitarian cargo that locals had been waiting for about a month” | [Obozrevatel](https://war.obozrevatel.com/ukr/scho-silnishe-instinkt-samozberezhennya-chi-strah-smerti-vid-golodu-pered-meshkantsyami-mista-oleshki-stav-takij-vibir.htm) |
| 2026-09-23 02:45:04 | uniannet | «Украина пытается доставлять продукты людям с помощью дронов»“Ukraine is trying to deliver food to people with the help of drones” | [Telegram: uniannet](https://t.me/uniannet/201946) |
| 2026-09-27 13:58:08 | Deutsche Welle | «Українські військові дронами доставили гумдопомогу в Олешки»“Ukrainian troops delivered humanitarian aid to Oleshky by drones” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/ukrainski-vijskovi-dostavili-produkti-v-oleski-ova-pokazala-operaciu/a-79449892) |
| 2026-10-24 04:20:41 | vesti.ru | «В населенном пункте Алешки в Херсонской области не хватает инсулина»“There is a shortage of insulin in the settlement of Aleshky in Kherson region” | [Vesti](https://www.vesti.ru/ns/lantratova-zayavila-o-nekhvatke-insulina-v-aleshkakh) |

### The arrested theater director, March 23, 2022

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-23 08:39:00 | Ryshchuk (Facebook video address, as retold by Ukrinform) | «Десь пів години тому був заарештований»“About half an hour ago he was arrested” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3437487-vijska-rf-vikrali-gendirektora-hersonskogo-oblmuzdramteatru.html) |
| 2022-03-23 10:24:49 | ukraina24tv (144,376) | «Олешківський міський голова Рищук Євген»“Oleshky mayor Yevhen Ryshchuk” | [Telegram: ukraina24tv](https://t.me/ukraina24tv/22056) |
| 2022-03-23 13:26:00 | Ukrinform-EN | «Mayor of Oleshky Yevhen Ryshchuk said in a video address posted on Facebook»“Mayor of Oleshky Yevhen Ryshchuk said in a video address posted on Facebook” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3437790-tkachenko-calls-on-world-cultural-community-to-help-free-kherson-drama-theater-director.html) |
| 2022-03-23 18:25:00 | La Repubblica (Italy) | «lo ha reso noto con un video su Facebook, Yevhen Ryshchuk, sindaco di Oleshky»“made it known in a video on Facebook, Yevhen Ryshchuk, mayor of Oleshky” | [La Repubblica](https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/03/23/news/guerra_russia_ucraina_cosa_e_successo_oggi-342559464) |
| 2022-03-23 19:54:00 | Ukrinform (Yermak's statement) | «Олешківський міський голова Євген Рищук у відеозверненні у Фейсбуці повідомив»“Oleshky mayor Yevhen Ryshchuk reported in a video address on Facebook” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3438117-vlada-zrobit-use-dla-vizvolenna-z-polonu-direktora-hersonskogo-teatru-ermak.html) |

### Interrogation video, May 11, 2022

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-11 06:03:00 | Khlan (Facebook) via Ukrinform, 06:03 | «про це у Фейсбуці повідомив депутат Херсонської облради Сергій Хлань»“this was reported on Facebook by Kherson regional council deputy Serhii Khlan” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3480295-zagarbniki-pokazali-dopit-z-torturami-meskanca-hersonsini.html) |
| 2022-05-11 10:53:11 | Denisova (own channel, 1,135) | «Окупанти виклали у вільний доступ відео допиту викраденого ними мешканця Олешків на Херсонщині»“The occupiers made publicly available a video of the interrogation of an Oleshky resident of Kherson region abducted by them” | [Telegram: Denisova](https://t.me/denisova_liudmyla/5912) |
| 2022-05-11 10:59:32 | svidomi_ua (8,721) | «Про це свідчить опубліковане росіянами відео, передає омбудсменка Людмила Денісова.»“This is evidenced by a video published by the Russians, reports ombudsperson Liudmyla Denisova.” | [Telegram: svidomi_ua](https://t.me/svidomi_ua/17958) |
| 2022-05-11 12:04:00 | Espreso (web) | «Про це в телеграмі написала омбудсман Людмила Денісова.»“Ombudsman Liudmyla Denisova wrote about this on Telegram.” | [Espreso TV](https://espreso.tv/na-khersonshchini-okupanti-vikrali-mirnogo-meshkantsya-bili-yogo-ta-katuvali-strumom-denisova) |
| 2022-05-11 13:14:00 | Denisova → UN Commission (via bigmir) | «Денисова обратилась к Комиссии ООН по расследованию нарушений прав человека во время военного вторжения войск РФ с просьбой учесть эти факты военных преступлений и нарушения прав человека»“Denisova appealed to the UN Commission investigating human rights violations during the military invasion by Russian troops, asking it to take into account these facts of war crimes and human rights violations” | [bigmir](https://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/6298682-okkupanty-pytayut-pokhischennykh-grazhdanskikh-lits-ombudsmen) |
| 2022-07-22 04:01:00 | Human Rights Watch (July 22, 2022) | «in the town of Oleshky in Kherson region»“in the town of Oleshky in Kherson region” | [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south) |

### Removal of boarding-school children, October–November 2022

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-10-21 16:19:24 | Ryshchuk (own channel, 2,113 views) | «Яка їх подальша доля нікому невідомо.»“Their further fate is known to no one.” | [Telegram: Ryshchuk](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604) |
| 2022-10-23 14:32:22 | Yermak (135,395) | «Ця інформація вже надійшла до Офісу Уповноваженого Верховної Ради України з прав людини.»“This information has already been received by the Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine.” | [Telegram: Yermak](https://t.me/ermaka2022/1512) |
| 2022-10-23 16:22:06 | znua_live (13,368) | «У закладі перебувало 82 дитини, 40 з яких є паліативними.»“There were 82 children in the facility, 40 of whom are palliative.” | [Telegram: znua_live](https://t.me/znua_live/62585) |
| 2022-10-23 17:41:00 | Ukrinform (English) | «Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said this in a statement on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.»“Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said this in a statement on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.” | [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3599496-russians-relocating-children-with-disabilities-from-kherson-region-to-crimea-yermak.html) |
| 2022-11-05 12:35:25 | Lubinets (Verkhovna Rada, 15,458) | «Отримав перевірену інформацію про чергове вивезення вихованців»“Received verified information about another removal of pupils” | [Telegram: Lubinets](https://t.me/verkhovnaradaukrainy/37476) |
| 2022-11-05 13:36:00 | Interfax-Ukraine (English) | «Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has received information about the illegal removal of children»“Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has received information about the illegal removal of children” | [Interfax-Ukraine](https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/870337.html) |

### The flood and the dispute over the death toll, June 6–9, 2023

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-06 15:40:00 | TSN.ua (June 6, 15:40) | «Через теракт Росії Олешки повністю підтоплені.»“Because of Russia's act of terror, Oleshky is completely flooded.” | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ato/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-okupovane-misto-oleshki-pishlo-pid-vodu-motoroshni-foto-ta-video-2344798.html) |
| 2023-06-06 19:05:53 | defender_skadovsk (20,939), 19:05 | «SOS! ТЕРМІНОВО ПОТРІБНА ДОПОМОГА!»“SOS! HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!” | [Telegram: defender_skadovsk](https://t.me/defender_skadovsk/6204) |
| 2023-06-07 07:15:13 | ASTRA (37,094), June 7, 07:15 | «Таких сообщений — более сотни.»“There are more than a hundred such messages.” | [Telegram: ASTRA](https://t.me/astrapress/29008) |
| 2023-06-07 15:45:00 | Politico, June 7, 15:45 | «Yevhen Ryshchuk, the Ukrainian mayor-in-exile of Oleshky, said in a Facebook post that Russian forces had abandoned the town»“Yevhen Ryshchuk, the Ukrainian mayor-in-exile of Oleshky, said in a Facebook post that Russian forces had abandoned the town” | [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-evacuates-civilians-flooded-towns-help-unanswered-russia-occupied-territory-nova-kakhovka-dam-kherson-dnipro-river) |
| 2023-06-07 21:16:00 | The New York Times, June 7, 21:16 | «residents of the town of Oleshky pleaded for help on an online chat group»“residents of the town of Oleshky pleaded for help on an online chat group” | [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/07/world/europe/ukraine-flooding-scene-kherson.html) |
| 2023-06-08 02:23:00 | The Guardian, June 8, 02:23 | «Citing the exiled mayor of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, Yevhen Ryshchuk, the Kyiv Independent reported»“Citing the exiled mayor of the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, Yevhen Ryshchuk, the Kyiv Independent reported” | [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/nova-kakhovka-dam-collapse-flood-first-flooding-deaths-reported-ukraine) |
| 2023-06-09 08:16:49 | Meduza (251,575), June 9 | «The Insider со ссылкой на волонтера из Алешек написал о более чем 30 погибших только на одной улице города»“The Insider, citing a volunteer from Aleshky, wrote about more than 30 dead on just one street of the city” | [Telegram: Meduza](https://t.me/meduzalive/85508) |
| 2023-06-09 19:41:00 | OCHA Flash Update #4 (June 9, 19:41) | «Anecdotal and uncorroborated reports from local volunteers and authorities indicate that the situation appears to be critical in Oleshky town»“Anecdotal and uncorroborated reports from local volunteers and authorities indicate that the situation appears to be critical in Oleshky town” | [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-4-destruction-kakhovka-dam-9-jun-2023) |
| 2023-06-10 14:15:00 | Kherson doctor (Fakty, June 10) | «Вчора зранку мені повідомили про більше ніж 90 трупів тільки в Олешках»“Yesterday morning I was told about more than 90 corpses in Oleshky alone” | [Fakty ICTV](https://fakty.ua/421092-rossiyane-umalchivayut-massovoe-ubijstvo-kotoroe-oni-sovershili-v-zatoplennyh-oleshkah-mogut-byt-sotni-pogibshih) |
| 2023-06-11 13:29:00 | Prokudin (June 11) | «Ті цифри, які називають (про сотні загиблих, - ред.), це не підтверджена інформація»“The figures being cited (about hundreds of dead, - ed.) are unconfirmed information” | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/okupanti-zakrili-pidtopleni-oleshki-na-viyizd-miscevi-sidyat-bez-vodi-gazu-ta-svitla-2347858.html) |
| 2023-12-28 05:29:54 | AP (Dec. 28, 2023) | «An AP investigation has found that Russian occupation authorities vastly and deliberately undercounted the dead»“An AP investigation has found that Russian occupation authorities vastly and deliberately undercounted the dead” | [KEYT](https://keyt.com/news/2023/12/27/ap-concludes-at-least-hundreds-died-in-floods-after-ukraine-dam-collapse-far-more-than-russia-said) |

### Food shortage: the post of Jan. 31, 2026

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-31 13:47:27 | Kherson: Non Fake (120,391), Jan. 31 | «нет подвоза продуктов питания УЖЕ БОЛЕЕ 12 ДНЕЙ!»“there has been no delivery of food for MORE THAN 12 DAYS ALREADY!” | [Telegram: Kherson: Non Fake](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/27081) |
| 2026-02-06 17:31:02 | newspn (28,267), Feb. 6 | «Про це повідомляє проєкт “Херсон: Non Fake”.»“This is reported by the project “Kherson: Non Fake”.” | [Telegram: newspn](https://t.me/newspn/168622) |
| 2026-02-12 10:21:25 | Vhoru, Feb. 12 (4,675) | «Стає все гірше»“It is getting worse” | [Telegram: Vhoru](https://t.me/vgorunews/49507) |
| 2026-03-29 19:12:05 | Prokudin (via the occupation political channel politwera, March 29) | «вынуждены выживать в условиях, напоминающих Голодомор 1932-1933 годов»“forced to survive in conditions reminiscent of the Holodomor of 1932-1933” | [Telegram: Prokudin](https://t.me/politwera/228144) |
| 2026-04-06 10:04:39 | Most, on Skhid SOS, April 6 (3,996) | «Команда Благодійного фонду «Схід SOS» провела 10 інтервʼю зі свідками російських воєнних злочинів у місті Олешки.»“The team of the Skhid SOS charitable foundation conducted 10 interviews with witnesses of Russian war crimes in the city of Oleshky.” | [Telegram: Most](https://t.me/mostks/60931) |
| 2026-04-26 09:16:21 | lachentyt (442,870), April 26 | «цитують журналісти щоденник мешканки в окупованих Олешках на Херсонщині»“journalists quote the diary of a woman resident of occupied Oleshky in Kherson region” | [Telegram: lachentyt](https://t.me/lachentyt/62183) |
| 2026-05-06 15:23:31 | Foreign Ministry statement, May 6 | «особливе занепокоєння викликає ситуація в Олешках, Голій Пристані»“the situation in Oleshky and Hola Prystan is of particular concern” | [Interfax-Ukraine](https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/1165437.html) |
| 2026-05-07 18:21:11 | Live: Ukraine, May 7 (ICRC) | «So far, only the ICRC has responded.»“So far, only the ICRC has responded.” | [Telegram: Live: Ukraine](https://t.me/liveukraine_media/39861) |
| 2026-05-16 05:50:44 | DW, May 16 | «Фінансово допомагає організувати евакуацію громадська організація Save Ukraine.»“The public organization Save Ukraine helps finance the organization of the evacuation.” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/v-oleskah-golod-ukraina-prosit-dopomogti-z-evakuacieu/a-77175965) |

### “There has been no food since May 26, 2026”

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-26 16:05:00 | Prokudin (video interview, Censor.NET), May 26 | «їжу та продукти не завозять»“food and groceries are not being brought in” | [Censor.NET](https://censor.net/ua/videonews/4005137/yaka-sytuatsiya-v-oleshkah-golova-ova-prokudin-rozpoviv) |
| 2026-06-12 15:02:34 | Hasanenko (Ukrinform radio, ukr.radio, 15:02), June 12 | «Остання комерційна пропозиція, коли змогли заїхати дві машини в Олешки для реалізації продуктів, відбулася 26 травня.»“The last commercial offer, when two vehicles were able to enter Oleshky to sell goods, took place on May 26.” | [Ukrainian Radio](https://ukr.radio/news.html?newsID=111036) |
| 2026-06-25 11:37:39 | HRMMU (Radio Svoboda), June 25 | «не надходило жодних поставок продовольства з 26 травня»“no food supplies have been received since May 26” | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-oleshky-holod-oon/33788667.html) |
| 2026-06-25 16:02:18 | DW, June 25 | «Ті розповіли про проблеми, які DW описувала ще в травні»“Those told of the problems that DW had already described in May” | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/misia-oon-z-prav-ludini-zaklikae-do-prizupinenna-vognu-zadla-evakuacii-mist-u-nizovi-dnipra/a-77713090) |

### September–October 2026: from anonymous testimony to a ceasefire

| Time (UTC) | Who | Quotation | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-10 09:26:36 | berezajuice (26,660), Sept. 10 | «Ситуація з Олешками потребує міжнародного розголосу.»“The situation with Oleshky needs international publicity.” | [Telegram: berezajuice](https://t.me/berezajuice/68251) |
| 2026-09-13 10:49:01 | Gordon (50,406), Sept. 13, 10:49 | «Волонтеры и местные жители рассказывают об обстрелах гуманитарных колонн дронами»“Volunteers and local residents tell of shelling of humanitarian convoys by drones” | [Telegram: Gordon](https://t.me/dmytrogordon_official/156020) |
| 2026-09-13 15:46:30 | Sybiha (Foreign Ministry), Sept. 13, 15:46 | «Олешки залишаються в гуманітарній пастці через російську окупацію, — Сибіга»“Oleshky remains in a humanitarian trap because of the Russian occupation, — Sybiha” | [Telegram: Sybiha](https://t.me/channel5ua/168764) |
| 2026-09-13 19:10:25 | NEXTA (180,601), Sept. 13, 19:10 | «Последняя поставка продуктов состоялась 26 мая.»“The last delivery of food took place on May 26.” | [Telegram: NEXTA](https://t.me/nexta_live/123588) |
| 2026-09-16 14:57:01 | Vakarchuk (niklifeua, 31,328), Sept. 16 | «Святослав Вакарчук закликав забезпечити гуманітарний коридор з Олешок»“Sviatoslav Vakarchuk called for a humanitarian corridor from Oleshky to be ensured” | [Telegram: Vakarchuk](https://t.me/niklifeua/60239) |
| 2026-09-16 20:00:06 | Lubinets (tsaplienko, 107,616), Sept. 16 | «За його даними, список людей для евакуації вже був погоджений, а Міжнародний Комітет Червоного Хреста висловив готовність долучитися до гуманітарної місії»“According to him, the list of people for evacuation had already been agreed, and the International Committee of the Red Cross had expressed readiness to join the humanitarian mission” | [Telegram: Lubinets](https://t.me/tsaplienko/98929) |
| 2026-09-20 13:20:45 | Sybiha (RBC), Sept. 20 | «Україна виносить ситуацію в Олешках на Генасамблею ООН»“Ukraine is bringing the situation in Oleshky to the UN General Assembly” | [RBC-Ukraine](https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/ukrayina-vinosit-situatsiyu-oleshkah-genasambleyu-1789910445.html) |
| 2026-09-28 11:23:34 | Kaja Kallas (European Pravda), Sept. 28 | «Каллас про Олешки: "це чітко показує, що відбувається з людьми в окупації»“Kallas on Oleshky: "this clearly shows what is happening to people under occupation” | [European Pravda](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/09/28/7246444) |
| 2026-09-28 15:12:00 | BTA (Bulgaria), citing Reuters, Sept. 28 | «заяви губернаторът на Херсонска област Олександър Прокудин, цитиран от Ройтерс»“said the governor of Kherson region Oleksandr Prokudin, quoted by Reuters” | [BTA](https://www.bta.bg/bg/news/world/1213320-ukrayna-izpolzva-dronove-za-da-dostavya-hrana-v-okupiraniya-ot-rusiya-grad-oles) |
| 2026-09-30 18:29:18 | UNN citing Reuters, Vatican envoy, Sept. 30 | «Папський посланець Маттео Дзуппі провів у москві переговори про гуманітарні питання війни»“Papal envoy Matteo Zuppi held talks in Moscow on humanitarian issues of the war” | [UNN](https://unn.ua/news/u-lavrova-zaiavyly-shcho-poslanets-vatykanu-obhovoryv-sytuatsiiu-v-oleshkakh-ta-vidvidav-viiskovopolonenykh-u-rosii) |
| 2026-10-16 15:36:17 | Pope Leo XIV, phone call, Oct. 16 (noel_reports, 33,317) | «Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Putin today, according to the Vatican.»“Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Putin today, according to the Vatican.” | [Telegram: Pope Leo XIV](https://t.me/noel_reports/54167) |
| 2026-10-23 19:39:25 | Lubinets / Melania Trump, Oct. 23 (625,804) | «Перша леді США Меланія Трамп заявила про початок гуманітарної місії з порятунку людей в Олешках.»“US First Lady Melania Trump announced the start of a humanitarian mission to rescue people in Oleshky.” | [Telegram: Lubinets / Melania Trump](https://t.me/truexanewsua/147015) |
| 2026-10-27 01:06:35 | Ceasefire, Oct. 27 (710,308) | «В окупованих Олешках стартував режим припинення вогню, – Лубінець»“A ceasefire regime has started in occupied Oleshky, – Lubinets” | [Telegram: Ceasefire](https://t.me/truexanewsua/147224) |

### How reports left the city

The chains are built from textual references to a source (“the mayor said”) and from publication times. Below, each story shows the sequence of publications and a short conclusion.

#### The arrested theater director, March 23, 2022

1. Mar 23, 2022 08:39local[Ryshchuk (Facebook video address, relayed by Ukrinform)](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3437487-vijska-rf-vikrali-gendirektora-hersonskogo-oblmuzdramteatru.html)
2. Mar 23, 2022 10:24national[ukraina24tv (144,376)](https://t.me/ukraina24tv/22056)
3. Mar 23, 2022 13:26international[Ukrinform-EN](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3437790-tkachenko-calls-on-world-cultural-community-to-help-free-kherson-drama-theater-director.html)
4. Mar 23, 2022 18:25international[La Repubblica (Italy)](https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/03/23/news/guerra_russia_ucraina_cosa_e_successo_oggi-342559464)
5. Mar 23, 2022 19:54institution[Ukrinform (Yermak’s statement)](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3438117-vlada-zrobit-use-dla-vizvolenna-z-polonu-direktora-hersonskogo-teatru-ermak.html)

Each link carries a direct textual marker of the source: mayor → Ukrinform → TV channel → foreign outlet. Reach is 144,000 within 1 hour 45 minutes.

#### Interrogation video, May 11, 2022

1. May 11, 2022 06:03national[Khlan (Facebook) via Ukrinform 06:03](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3480295-zagarbniki-pokazali-dopit-z-torturami-meskanca-hersonsini.html)
2. May 11, 2022 10:53institution[Denisova (own channel, 1,135)](https://t.me/denisova_liudmyla/5912)
3. May 11, 2022 10:59national[svidomi_ua (8,721)](https://t.me/svidomi_ua/17958)
4. May 11, 2022 12:04national[Espreso (web)](https://espreso.tv/na-khersonshchini-okupanti-vikrali-mirnogo-meshkantsya-bili-yogo-ta-katuvali-strumom-denisova)
5. May 11, 2022 13:14international[Denisova → UN Commission (according to bigmir)](https://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/6298682-okkupanty-pytayut-pokhischennykh-grazhdanskikh-lits-ombudsmen)
6. Jul 22, 2022 04:01international[Human Rights Watch (July 22, 2022)](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south)

The Ukrainian part of the chain is linked by text. A regional council deputy was first: Ukrinform wrote five hours earlier than the ombudswoman. The story reached the international level only through a statement — an appeal to a UN commission.

#### Removal of boarding-school children, October–November 2022

1. Oct 21, 2022 16:19local[Ryshchuk (own channel, 2,113 views)](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604)
2. Oct 23, 2022 14:32institution[Yermak (135,395)](https://t.me/ermaka2022/1512)
3. Oct 23, 2022 16:22national[znua_live (13,368)](https://t.me/znua_live/62585)
4. Oct 23, 2022 17:41international[Ukrinform-EN](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3599496-russians-relocating-children-with-disabilities-from-kherson-region-to-crimea-yermak.html)
5. Nov 5, 2022 12:35institution[Lubinets (Verkhovna Rada, 15,458)](https://t.me/verkhovnaradaukrainy/37476)
6. Nov 5, 2022 13:36international[Interfax-Ukraine EN](https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/870337.html)
7. Oct 4, 2023 00:00international[UN OHCHR/HRMMU 36th periodic report, par. 92 (from research notes, not in the collected material)](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/23-10-04-OHCHR-36th-periodic-report-ukraine-en.pdf)

The mayor had a small reach (2,000). Yermak provided 135,000 after 46 hours. Ukrainian media responded within days, OHCHR in a periodic report roughly 11.5 months later.

#### The flood and the dispute over the death toll, June 6–9, 2023

1. Jun 6, 2023 15:40national[TSN.ua (June 6, 15:40)](https://tsn.ua/ato/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-okupovane-misto-oleshki-pishlo-pid-vodu-motoroshni-foto-ta-video-2344798.html)
2. Jun 6, 2023 19:05local[defender_skadovsk (20,939) 19:05](https://t.me/defender_skadovsk/6204)
3. Jun 7, 2023 07:15national[ASTRA (37,094)](https://t.me/astrapress/29008)
4. Jun 7, 2023 15:45international[Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-evacuates-civilians-flooded-towns-help-unanswered-russia-occupied-territory-nova-kakhovka-dam-kherson-dnipro-river)
5. Jun 7, 2023 21:16international[The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/07/world/europe/ukraine-flooding-scene-kherson.html)
6. Jun 8, 2023 02:23international[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/08/nova-kakhovka-dam-collapse-flood-first-flooding-deaths-reported-ukraine)
7. Jun 9, 2023 08:16national[Meduza (251,575)](https://t.me/meduzalive/85508)
8. Jun 10, 2023 14:15local[A Kherson doctor (Fakty ICTV, June 10)](https://fakty.ua/421092-rossiyane-umalchivayut-massovoe-ubijstvo-kotoroe-oni-sovershili-v-zatoplennyh-oleshkah-mogut-byt-sotni-pogibshih)
9. Jun 11, 2023 13:29institution[Prokudin (June 11)](https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/okupanti-zakrili-pidtopleni-oleshki-na-viyizd-miscevi-sidyat-bez-vodi-gazu-ta-svitla-2347858.html)
10. Jun 9, 2023 19:41international[OCHA Flash Update #4 (June 9, 19:41)](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-4-destruction-kakhovka-dam-9-jun-2023)
11. Dec 28, 2023 05:29international[AP (Dec. 28, 2023)](https://keyt.com/news/2023/12/27/ap-concludes-at-least-hundreds-died-in-floods-after-ukraine-dam-collapse-far-more-than-russia-said)

For the fact of the flooding there is no gap between the local signal and national media: TSN wrote at 15:40, before the request for help from a roof at 19:05. Politico, the NYT and the Guardian quoted the mayor and a chat within the same 36 hours, and on the third day OCHA named volunteers and the authorities as its sources. On the dead: the mayor — 9 (June 7–8), Prokudin — 8 confirmed (June 11), a volunteer — more than 30 on one street (June 9), a doctor — more than 90 bodies (June 10), the occupation side — 59. AP provided independent confirmation after more than six months.

#### Food shortage: the post of Jan. 31, 2026

1. Jan 31, 2026 13:47local[Kherson: Non Fake (120,391)](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/27081)
2. Feb 6, 2026 17:31national[newspn (28,267)](https://t.me/newspn/168622)
3. Feb 12, 2026 10:21local[Vhoru Feb. 12 (4,675)](https://t.me/vgorunews/49507)
4. Mar 29, 2026 19:12institution[Prokudin (via the occupation political channel politwera, March 29)](https://t.me/politwera/228144)
5. Apr 6, 2026 10:04local[Most on “East SOS” April 6 (3,996)](https://t.me/mostks/60931)
6. Apr 26, 2026 09:16national[lachentyt (442,870)](https://t.me/lachentyt/62183)
7. May 6, 2026 15:23institution[Foreign Ministry statement](https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/1165437.html)
8. May 7, 2026 18:21international[Live: Ukraine May 7 (ICRC)](https://t.me/liveukraine_media/39861)
9. May 16, 2026 05:50international[DW](https://www.dw.com/uk/v-oleskah-golod-ukraina-prosit-dopomogti-z-evakuacieu/a-77175965)

From the first large post to DW 105 days passed, to the Foreign Ministry 95, to the ICRC 96. The post of Jan. 31 was the first large one; there were earlier signals on Jan. 17 and in December 2025.

#### “There has been no food since May 26, 2026”

1. May 26, 2026 16:05local[Prokudin (video interview, censor.net)](https://censor.net/ua/videonews/4005137/yaka-sytuatsiya-v-oleshkah-golova-ova-prokudin-rozpoviv)
2. Jun 12, 2026 15:02national[Hasanenko (Ukrinform radio, ukr.radio, 15:02)](https://ukr.radio/news.html?newsID=111036)
3. Jun 25, 2026 11:37international[HRMMU (Radio Svoboda)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-oleshky-holod-oon/33788667.html)
4. Jun 25, 2026 16:02international[DW](https://www.dw.com/uk/misia-oon-z-prav-ludini-zaklikae-do-prizupinenna-vognu-zadla-evakuacii-mist-u-nizovi-dnipra/a-77713090)

The institution (HRMMU) responded 30 days after the event and 13 days after the city military administration’s statement. The HRMMU report was picked up by more than ten web outlets within about 5 hours.

#### September–October 2026: from anonymous testimony to a ceasefire

1. Sep 10, 2026 09:26personal channel[berezajuice (26,660)](https://t.me/berezajuice/68251)
2. Sep 13, 2026 10:49national[Gordon (50,406)](https://t.me/dmytrogordon_official/156020)
3. Sep 13, 2026 19:10national[NEXTA (180,601)](https://t.me/nexta_live/123588)
4. Sep 13, 2026 15:46institution[Sybiha (Foreign Ministry)](https://t.me/channel5ua/168764)
5. Sep 16, 2026 14:57national[Vakarchuk (niklifeua 31,328)](https://t.me/niklifeua/60239)
6. Sep 16, 2026 20:00institution[Lubinets (tsaplienko 107,616)](https://t.me/tsaplienko/98929)
7. Sep 20, 2026 13:20international[Sybiha (RBC)](https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/ukrayina-vinosit-situatsiyu-oleshkah-genasambleyu-1789910445.html)
8. Sep 28, 2026 11:23international[Kaja Kallas (European Pravda)](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/09/28/7246444)
9. Sep 28, 2026 15:12international[BTA (Bulgaria), citing Reuters](https://www.bta.bg/bg/news/world/1213320-ukrayna-izpolzva-dronove-za-da-dostavya-hrana-v-okupiraniya-ot-rusiya-grad-oles)
10. Sep 30, 2026 18:29international[UNN citing Reuters, Vatican envoy](https://unn.ua/news/u-lavrova-zaiavyly-shcho-poslanets-vatykanu-obhovoryv-sytuatsiiu-v-oleshkakh-ta-vidvidav-viiskovopolonenykh-u-rosii)
11. Oct 16, 2026 15:36international[Pope Leo XIV, phone call Oct. 16 (noel_reports 33,317)](https://t.me/noel_reports/54167)
12. Oct 23, 2026 19:39institution[Lubinets / Melania Trump Oct. 23 (625,804)](https://t.me/truexanewsua/147015)
13. Oct 27, 2026 01:06institution[Ceasefire Oct. 27 (710,308)](https://t.me/truexanewsua/147224)

From Sept. 10 (the first call for international attention) to the ceasefire on Oct. 27, 47 days passed; from Sept. 13 (Gordon and Nexta), 44. Political actors (the Foreign Ministry, Lubinets, the Vatican, the U.S. first lady) joined an existing voice gradually.

### Methodology

The study draws on 55,722 Telegram posts and 25,752 website publications from Feb. 24, 2022, to Oct. 29, 2026, as well as the English-language GDELT feed. For each story we found the earliest report from the city and compared it with the first reaction of national and international media and institutions. Quotations are verbatim; publication times are in UTC. [M1]

### Fact register

### Show all facts (51)

| No. | Date | Fact | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | Feb 24 – Nov 11, 2022 | Oleshky was occupied on Feb. 24, 2022; before the war the city had about 24,000 residents. Kherson was liberated on Nov. 11, 2022; in retreating, Russian forces blew up the Antonivskyi Bridge, and Oleshky remained on the occupied left bank. | [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleshky), [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-kherson-okupatsiya-serhiy-movchan-vybukh-mist/32527906.html), [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/russias-methodical-use-of-starvation-in-oleshky-2/) |
| FP1 | Mar 21, 2022 | First posts from the city or about the city: March 21, 2022 (detention of a local resident, Suspilne Kherson citing the mayor’s video address), June 27, 2022 (a Russian passport issuing office), Oct. 21, 2022 (removal of children from the boarding school, the mayor’s channel), June 6, 2023 (flooding, first mention of the threat at 03:28 UTC). | [Telegram: Суспільне Херсон](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/9666), [Telegram: Мер Олешок Є. Рищук](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604), [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/15821) |
| CS2 | 2022 | 2022 episodes (c1–c6): delay to national media 0–0.2 days; international material was found in two (Radio Svoboda, Ukrainian service, 4 and 6 days), in four it was not found in the collected material. | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-vtorhnennya-rosiyi-peresliduvannya/31774842.html) |
| CS3 | Jun 28, 2022 | Passport as a condition for aid: first post June 28, 2022; AP (June 9, 2023, +346 days) and Amnesty (June 15, 2023, +352 days) mentioned it in connection with the flood. | [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-dam-flood-4905fbed912e2c3bdf5cda8b2313bf5c), [Amnesty International](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/06/ukraine-callous-disregard-for-human-life-of-russian-forces-response-to-kakhovkha-dam-destruction-compounded-by-its-disastrous-effects-upstream), [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-medytsyna-okupatsiya-mariupol-kherson-berdyansk/31919460.html) |
| IN1 | Jul 22, 2022 | HRW, in a report on torture and disappearances in the occupied south, describes the detention of “Stepan” at home in Oleshky; the family had no further news of him. | [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south) |
| CS4 | Oct 21, 2022 | Children of the Oleshky boarding school: first post Oct. 21, 2022; national media and DW (Ukrainian) +2 days; The Independent +559 days (May 2, 2024); OHCHR, 36th report +347 days (Oct. 4, 2023). | [UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/23-10-04-OHCHR-36th-periodic-report-ukraine-en.pdf), [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-kinap-disability-b2535322.html), [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/kuleba-zaklikav-uradi-svitu-zaboroniti-rt/a-63529641), [Telegram: Мер Олешок Є. Рищук](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604) |
| S4 | Oct 21, 2022 – Jun 23, 2026 | How many children were removed from the Oleshky boarding school: 16 (mayor of Oleshky, Oct. 21, 2022); 12 in Crimea, 82 in the facility, 40 palliative (Office of the President, Oct. 23, 2022); 52 pupils in Crimea (Lvova-Belova, according to The Independent, Nov. 12, 2022); 28 children to Crimea (OHCHR, 36th report, par. 92, Oct. 4, 2023); 46 of 84 located (Emile Foundation, June 23, 2026). | [Telegram: Мер Олешок Є. Рищук](https://t.me/evhen_rischuk/1604), [Telegram: Є. Єрмак](https://t.me/ermaka2022/1512), [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-kinap-disability-b2535322.html), [UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/23-10-04-OHCHR-36th-periodic-report-ukraine-en.pdf) |
| SP2 | Jan 24, 2023 | “Torture sites”: first post in the collected material Jan. 24, 2023; first national story Feb. 25, 2025 (+763 days); official Ukrainian reaction Sept. 12, 2026 (+1,327 days). | [Telegram: Херсонлайн](https://t.me/hersono/5056), [RBC-Ukraine](https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/maksim-tsutskiridze-natspolitsiya-okupanti-1740429841.html), [Bez Tabu](https://beztabu.net/katuvannya-na-devyatomu-poversi-zatoplenogo-mista-identifikovano-okupanta-yakij-znushchavsya-z-civilnih-v-oleshkah_n80993) |
| IN7 | Mar 17, 2023 | On March 17, 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova over the alleged unlawful deportation of children from occupied territories. No documents of the ICC or the ECHR specifically about the Oleshky boarding school were found. | [International Criminal Court](https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and) |
| RL3 | Jun 6, 2023 | The fact of the flood reached national and international media and OCHA within hours to three days: TSN June 6, 2023, 15:40, Politico 15:47, OCHA June 8, 20:27 (2.7 days), HRW June 14 (8.6 days). | [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ato/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-okupovane-misto-oleshki-pishlo-pid-vodu-motoroshni-foto-ta-video-2344798.html), [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/dam-sabotage-ukraine-worst-environmental-disaster-chernobyl), [ReliefWeb](https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-and-response-flash-update-3-destruction-kakhovka-dam-8-jun-2023), [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/14/loss-after-loss-after-loss-dam-destruction-ukraine) |
| S2 | Jun 6, 2023 | On June 6, 2023, the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was destroyed. At 07:53 UTC Suspilne Kherson wrote about flooding of the community, at 08:15 the channel Vhoru relayed a reader’s letter about residents moving to the second floor, at 15:40 TSN wrote «Олешки пішли під воду» [“Oleshky went under water”], and at 15:47 Politico reported on it. Ukrainian outlets called the destruction a terrorist attack by Russia; we do not assess who is responsible. | [Telegram: suspilnekherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/27183), [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/15821), [TSN](https://tsn.ua/ato/pidriv-kahovskoyi-ges-okupovane-misto-oleshki-pishlo-pid-vodu-motoroshni-foto-ta-video-2344798.html), [Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/dam-sabotage-ukraine-worst-environmental-disaster-chernobyl) |
| S3 | Jun 7, 2023 | UNOSAT published a preliminary assessment of the flooding of Oleshky based on a WorldView-3 image of June 7, 2023, not verified on the ground; on June 9 it added the dynamics of the flooded area from Landsat-9 images. | [BTAA Geoportal (UNOSAT)](https://geo.btaa.org/catalog/2d071716-cb7b-43e8-ba7e-656ddea6dcd9), [Humanitarian Data Exchange (UNOSAT)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/flood-water-extent-evolution-over-oleshky-city-in-the-east-bank-of-the-dnipro-dnieper-in-k) |
| LR6 | Jun 8, 2023 | Flood death toll: on June 8, 2023, the mayor gave 9, a volunteer coordinator «сотні» [“hundreds”]; AP, Dec. 28, 2023: “at least hundreds” (200–300 is the estimate of one medical worker); the Russian side — 59. From June 8 to Dec. 28 — 203 days. | [Telegram: ukrainenow](https://t.me/ukrainenow/34377), [Telegram: berlinspeaks](https://t.me/berlinspeaks/4934), [Telegram: @astrapress](https://t.me/astrapress/29643), [Telegram: @mostks](https://t.me/mostks/26370) |
| F1 | Jun 8, 2023 | Estimates of Oleshky’s population from various sides: 3,500–4,000 in the city (mayor, June 8, 2023), 6,000 (Russian channel, Oct. 10, 2024), ~2,000 (local, May 2, 2025), 2,000–3,000 (Russia-appointed head of the district, Jan. 17, 2026), ~2,000 (regional military administration, March 2026), ~1,700–1,800 (a volunteer, May 16, 2026; city military administration, June 12, 2026). Prewar ~24,000 (city), 38,500–40,000 (community). There is no independent count. | [Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine](https://kp.ua/incidents/a671146-mer-oleshek-evhenij-ryshchuk-na-ulitsakh-nachali-vsplyvat-utoplenniki-skolko-eshche-budet-zhertv-my-ne-znae), [Telegram: @aleshkii](https://t.me/aleshkii/4750), [Krym.Realii (RFE/RL)](https://ru.krymr.com/a/vse-yeshche-khotyat-zakhvatit-kherson-rossiya-usilila-boi-na-yuge-ukrainy/33402223.html), [TASS](https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/26173945) |
| F2 | Jun 8, 2023 | The population collapse happened largely before the blockade: as early as June 8, 2023, the mayor estimated 3,500–4,000 in the city (from ~24,000), and in 2026 both sides give ~2,000 (Russia: 2,000–3,000). The community is ~6,000 (city military administration, Feb. 25, 2026; Foreign Ministry, May 6, 2026). | [Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine](https://kp.ua/incidents/a671146-mer-oleshek-evhenij-ryshchuk-na-ulitsakh-nachali-vsplyvat-utoplenniki-skolko-eshche-budet-zhertv-my-ne-znae), [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2026/05/06/8033478), [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/4095472-v-oleskivskij-gromadi-zalisaetsa-ne-bilse-6000-meskanciv-evakuacia-nemozliva-mva.html) |
| F4 | Jun 10, 2023 | Missing persons and requests: 374 missing (volunteer database, “Agentstvo,” June 10, 2023); ~6,000 people at ~1,700 addresses (“Verstka,” June 8, 2023); «понад 1 700 заявок» [“more than 1,700 requests”] (June 10). Trap: the number 1,700 is also 1,700 evacuated (June 7, 2023) and 1,700 residents (2026). | [Ekho Kavkaza (RFE/RL)](https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/premjer-ministr-kanady-pribyl-v-kiev-s-neobyavlennym-vizitom/32453387.html), [Telegram: @svobodnieslova](https://t.me/svobodnieslova/2095), [Azattyq (RFE/RL)](https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32453436.html), [Telegram: @sofiya_fedyna](https://t.me/sofiya_fedyna/7396) |
| IN2 | Jun 14, 2023 | In “Loss after loss after loss,” HRW said that in Oleshky and other occupied areas the authorities are not fulfilling their duty to help people; 90 percent of the city was flooded. | [Human Rights Watch](https://hrw.org/news/2023/06/14/loss-after-loss-after-loss-dam-destruction-ukraine) |
| IN3 | Oct 4, 2023 | OHCHR (36th report) identified by name 15 civilians who died in the flood, including in Oleshky; recorded that volunteers were blocked from reaching about 600 people in central Oleshky and the arrest of three volunteers on June 6 and one more on June 9; reported the transfer of 28 children from an Oleshky institution to Crimea (par. 92). | [UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/23-10-04-OHCHR-36th-periodic-report-ukraine-en.pdf) |
| IN4 | Dec 28, 2023 | AP found that the occupation authorities deliberately understated the number of flood deaths: in Oleshky at least hundreds, 200–300 by medics’ estimates, against 59 according to Russia. | [Anchorage Daily News (AP)](https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2023/12/28/at-least-hundreds-died-in-floods-after-ukraine-dam-collapse-far-more-than-russia-said/), [RFE/RL](https://www.rferl.org/a/ap-investigation-kakhovka-dam-death-toll/32750535.html) |
| IN5 | Mar 26, 2024 | OHCHR (38th report) received credible allegations of extrajudicial executions of 10 civilians, almost all in Kherson Oblast, “such as Oleshky,” and noted that these cases require further verification. | [UN in Ukraine](https://ukraine.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-03-26%20OHCHR%2038th%20Periodic%20Report.pdf) |
| SP1 | Feb 2, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | Peak of silence Feb. 2, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026: hunger and medicine; one testimony from inside (186 views), first national reaction Feb. 6, 2026. | [Telegram: khersonoleshky](https://t.me/khersonoleshky/2570), [Telegram: potipomu](https://t.me/potipomu/120), [Telegram: kherson_non_fake](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/27081) |
| sk-6 | May 2025 | May 2025 (1,076 posts, 8.05 million views): May 1–8 account for 67 percent of posts and 77 percent of views; the top posts are the Russian presentation of the strike on the market on May 1, 2025 (Readovka 852,565, RIA Novosti 699,208, Zakharova 203,056). This is not testimony of hunger. According to Reuters, a Russian official said at least seven were killed; Ukraine denied this. | [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-14668007/Russian-official-accuses-Ukraine-killing-seven-civilians-drone-strike.html), [Telegram: @readovkanews](https://t.me/readovkanews/95783), [Telegram: @rian_ru](https://t.me/rian_ru/291831), [Telegram: @mariavladimirovnazakharova](https://t.me/mariavladimirovnazakharova/10336) |
| S5 | Jan 17, 2026 | On Jan. 17, 2026, at 09:17 UTC a regional channel reported that an evacuation had failed: a vehicle hit a mine; on Jan. 18 a local channel wrote about the driver’s death; on Jan. 20 Obozrevatel repeated this, and RIA Novosti relayed the Russian side’s words about three injured. Where the mine came from is unknown. | [Telegram: leftbank2025](https://t.me/leftbank2025/175), [Telegram: nezlamnioleshky](https://t.me/nezlamnioleshky/3169), [Obozrevatel](https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/novosti-obschestvo/buv-didzheem-zyavilis-dani-pro-vodiya-yakij-pomer-u-likarni-pislya-pidrivu-evakuatsijnogo-avto-na-hersonschini.htm), [RIA Novosti](https://ria.ru/20260120/miroshnik-2068935601.html) |
| CH5 | Jan 31, 2026 | Hunger chronology 2026: first large post Jan. 31, 2026 (120,391 views) → national web media +25 days → DW May 16, 2026 +105 days → UN mission June 25, 2026 +145 days. The national Telegram channel newspn picked up the topic on Feb. 6, 2026 (+6 days); HRW — July 9, 2026 (+159 days). | [Telegram: kherson_non_fake](https://t.me/kherson_non_fake/27081), [Telegram: newspn](https://t.me/newspn/168622), [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/v-oleskah-golod-ukraina-prosit-dopomogti-z-evakuacieu/a-77175965), [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-oleshky-holod-oon/33788667) |
| S12 | Apr 27, 2026 | On April 27, 2026, Novaya Gazeta Europe quoted Volodymyr Saldo, who called the crisis in Oleshky «брехливою київською пропагандою» [“false Kyiv propaganda”]. | [Novaya Gazeta Europe](https://novayagazeta.eu/en/articles/2026/04/27/the-dog-lay-down-and-died-too-en) |
| SP3 | May 21 – Sep 23, 2026 | Food delivery by drone: from May 21, 2026 to Sept. 23, 2026 national media did not write about it; DW — Sept. 27, 2026. | [Telegram: vgorunews](https://t.me/vgorunews/53304), [Telegram: uniannet](https://t.me/uniannet/201946), [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/ukrainski-vijskovi-dostavili-produkti-v-oleski-ova-pokazala-operaciu/a-79449892) |
| F6 | May 26 – Jun 25, 2026 | The last regular food delivery to Oleshky was on May 26, 2026; regional military administration head Prokudin said so on May 26, city military administration head Hasanenko on June 12; the UN human rights mission confirmed it on June 25 (+13 days) and gave the losses: at least 29 killed and 54 injured in Oleshky and Hola Prystan since the start of the year. In May, 32 people left the city on May 9–11 (according to HRMMU). | [Ukrainian Radio](https://ukr.radio/news.html?newsID=111036), [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-oleshky-holod-oon/33788667.html), [UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine](https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Desperate-situation-for-civilians-trapped-in-frontline-areas-says-UN-Human-Rights-Ukraine), [Censor.NET](https://censor.net/ua/videonews/4005137/yaka-sytuatsiya-v-oleshkah-golova-ova-prokudin-rozpoviv) |
| S20 | Sep 1, 2026 | On Sept. 1, 2026, Ukrainian channels and Obozrevatel reported that Russian drones hit a convoy with humanitarian cargo that locals had been waiting for for about a month; RT relayed the Russian side’s statement that Ukrainian drones attacked the convoy of four vehicles. There is no independent confirmation of either version. | [Obozrevatel](https://war.obozrevatel.com/ukr/scho-silnishe-instinkt-samozberezhennya-chi-strah-smerti-vid-golodu-pered-meshkantsyami-mista-oleshki-stav-takij-vibir.htm), [RT](https://russian.rt.com/ussr/news/1676942-vsu-kolonna-mashiny) |
| S7 | Sep 16, 2026 | On Sept. 16, 2026, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets gave figures: more than 6,000 people in the community, about 200 children, 358 people who need immediate evacuation. | [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/volunteer-urges-residents-to-leave-oleshky-in-evacuation-as-town-may-face-greater-destruction/), [Telegram: Лубінець](https://t.me/tsaplienko/98929) |
| S8 | Sep 22–23, 2026 | On Sept. 22, 2026, Reuters wrote that the Kremlin acknowledges a critical shortage in Oleshky but blames Kyiv; on Sept. 23, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke about Oleshky at the UN and urged pressure on Russia over humanitarian corridors. No separate UN Security Council meeting on Oleshky was found. | [Internazionale (Reuters)](https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/09/22/kremlin-says-military-is-working-to-resolve-humanitarian-crisis-in-russian-controlled-oleshky), [UNN](https://unn.ua/en/news/hear-the-cry-for-help-sybiha-on-the-sidelines-of-the-un-called-on-the-world-to-save-the-residents-of-oleshky-from-a-humanitarian-catastrophe), [Interfax-Ukraine](https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1207609.html) |
| S6 | Sep 25, 2026 | On Sept. 25, 2026, BBC Ukrainian published a report on life in Oleshky: «Суп з бур’яну і собаки, які їдять тіла» [“Weed soup and dogs that eat bodies”]. | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/ck5ywr7d8x78o) |
| S11 | Sep 27, 2026 | On Sept. 27, 2026, Dmitry Peskov, as relayed by TASS, said Ukraine «нібито перешкоджає доставці» [“is allegedly obstructing the delivery”] of food and medicine. Inform ZP notes that Ukraine does not control the city, and HRMMU records that there have been no deliveries since May 26. This is a statement by the Russian side; there is no independent confirmation. | [Inform ZP](https://www.inform.zp.ua/uk/2026/09/27/391797_rosiya-zvynuvachuye-ukrayinu-u-blokuvanni-gumanitarnoyi-dopomogy-oleshkam-shho-vidomo) |
| AD1 | October 2026 | In October 2026, compared with June 2023, there are 6.3 times as many raw Telegram posts, 3.1 times as many in a cohort of 106 channels, and 0.72 times as many views of Ukrainian Wikipedia. The number of Telegram channels writing about the city per month grew from roughly 100 to 8,077. | [Telegram: @dkulko](https://t.me/dkulko/1776) |
| S10 | Oct 7, 2026 | On Oct. 7, 2026, EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said civilians in Oleshky were “trapped under siege by Russian forces,” and that Russia, as the occupying power, must protect civilians and facilitate aid. | [European External Action Service](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/statement-commissioner-lahbib-siege-oleshky-ukraine_en) |
| S17 | Oct 14, 2026 | On Oct. 14, 2026, an informal Arria-formula meeting convened by Russia took place; OCHA called for practical arrangements on access. No decisions were adopted; no formal Security Council meeting on Oleshky was found. | [Security Council Report](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2026/10/arria-formula-meeting-on-ukraine-11.php) |
| S13 | Oct 16, 2026 | On Oct. 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV phoned Putin to ask for a truce in Oleshky; the Kremlin put the responsibility on Kyiv but agreed to cooperate. | [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/pope-leo-xiv-urges-putin-to-agree-to-truce-in-besieged-ukrainian-city-of-oleshky), [Telegram: Папа Лев XIV](https://t.me/noel_reports/54167) |
| S9 | Oct 17, 2026 | On Oct. 17, 2026, Andrii Sybiha said Russian troops were trying to turn Oleshky into a «смертельну пастку» [“deadly trap”], and urged the UN and the ICRC to provide corridors. These are the minister’s words. | [LB.ua](https://lb.ua/society/2026/10/17/774166_sibiga_rosiyani_namagayutsya.html) |
| S14 | Oct 20–24, 2026 | On Oct. 20, 2026, European Parliament Vice-President Picierno announced a hunger strike to draw attention to civilians in Oleshky; on Oct. 24 she ended it after the ceasefire was announced. | [Meduza](https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/20/european-parliament-vice-president-pina-picierno-announces-hunger-strike-to-draw-international-attention-to-civilians-trapped-in-russian-occupied-oleshky-ukraine), [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/european-parliament-vice-president-ends-hunger-strike-following-oleshky-ceasefire-announcement/) |
| AD2 | Oct 23–29, 2026 | On Oct. 23–29, 2026, 7,053 channels wrote, 4,191 of which had not appeared before. | [Telegram: @truexanewsua](https://t.me/truexanewsua/146999) |
| S15 | Oct 23, 2026 | On Oct. 23, 2026, the White House said Melania Trump had secured an agreement on a local ceasefire in Oleshky; the same day Russia’s General Staff announced a start date of Oct. 27. | [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/23/white-house-says-melania-trump-secured-a-ceasefire-in-ukraines-oleshky), [Meduza](https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/23/russia-announces-october-27-ceasefire-on-southern-ukraine-s-kherson-front-to-evacuate-residents-of-occupied-oleshky), [Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly)](https://zn.ua/ukr/UKRAINE/v-okupovanikh-oleshkakh-pochav-dijati-rezhim-tishi-hotujut-humanitarnij-koridor-dlja-misiji-ta-evakuatsiji.html) |
| S19 | Oct 25, 2026 | On Oct. 25, 2026, Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia would clear the roads of mines in such a way that people would go «в бік Росії і залишились там» [“toward Russia and stayed there”]. This is the president’s assessment, not a proven fact. | [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2026/10/25/8059659/) |
| S16 | Oct 27, 2026 | The ceasefire («режим тиші» [“regime of silence”]) began on Oct. 27, 2026, at 3 a.m. Kyiv time (Ukraine’s General Staff) and runs until 10:59 p.m. on Nov. 1; Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it from 4 a.m. Moscow time. | [Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL)](https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-genshtab-zsu-prypynennja-vohnju-oleshky/33884696.html), [LIGA.net](https://news.liga.net/en/politics/news/melania-trump-announces-expansion-of-oleshky-ceasefire), [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/27/russia-halts-strikes-on-ukraines-kherson-as-oleshky-ceasefire-takes-effect) |
| S18 | Oct 30, 2026 | On Oct. 30, 2026, an evacuation began: Lubinets and Russian ombudswoman Yana Lantratova were in the city and brought buses and aid; the route runs through Crimea, Anapa and Homel. The prime minister gave a figure of 527 evacuated and immediately said the number is inaccurate. The sources do not name any participation by the ICRC or the UN; there is no independent report from the city. | [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2026/10/30/8060399/), [ABC17 (CNN)](https://abc17news.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/10/30/evacuations-begin-in-occupied-ukrainian-town-as-melania-trump-brokered-ceasefire-holds/), [RFE/RL](https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-oleshky-evacuation-melania-trump/33887157.html) |
| AM-F1 | entire period | The city’s voices (Ryshchuk, Hasanenko, Prokudin, Lubinets) come in waves: 2022 and June 2023, then near silence, then September–October 2026; from December 2023 to December 2025 Ryshchuk made 12 posts, Hasanenko 20, Prokudin 16, Lubinets 2. | [Telegram: @kavuncity](https://t.me/kavuncity/5833), [Telegram: @suspilnekherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/27300), [Telegram: @ukrainenow](https://t.me/ukrainenow/80042), [Telegram: @dmytro_lubinetzs](https://t.me/dmytro_lubinetzs/12909) |
| AM-F4 | entire period | The mayor’s words (Facebook video) appeared on the channel tch_channel (385,332 views) 38 minutes after the very first copy; a chain through Suspilne is not proven. | [Telegram: @suspilnekherson](https://t.me/suspilnekherson/10289), [Telegram: @tch_channel](https://t.me/tch_channel/26733) |
| AM-F8 | entire period | Volunteer channels are small and are not quoted by large outlets: nezlamnioleshky 27 posts/115,589, typovi_oleshky 90/73,267, uaoleshki 64, oleshkinews 24; aleshkisegodny is an occupation administration (169 posts, 199,000). | [Telegram: @zradnykyglpr](https://t.me/zradnykyglpr/738), [Telegram: nezlamnioleshky](https://t.me/nezlamnioleshky/274) |
| VO1 | entire period | Share of views of Telegram posts about Oleshky that went to occupation and Russian state channels: 2022 — 17 percent, 2023 — 16 percent, 2024 — 27 percent, 2025 — 38 percent, 2026 — 16 percent. |  |
| CS1 | entire period | Episodes (19): national media reacted within a day in 12; international material was found in 12; institutions reacted in 11. Delays are counted from the earliest post from the city. |  |
| TM1 | entire period | A sample of 1,400 items (140 per half-year), 11 themes, human reading; agreement of two readers on a shared 150 — 97.3 percent (κ 0.97). Shares by half-year: 2023H1 flood 58 percent; 2025 shelling 51–53 percent; 2026H1 survival 29 percent; 2026H2 diplomacy 63 percent. Detentions 23, children 14, passports 7 of 1,400. |  |
| AC1 | entire period | Matrix of actions and declarations: 51 entries; in 2022 and 2024–2025 only declarations, refusals or “not found”; actions were recorded in 2023 (rescues by volunteers’ boats) and 2026 (drone delivery, evacuation of 32 people May 9–11, ceasefire Oct. 27). | [Telegram: @realenua](https://t.me/realenua/16527), [UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine](https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Desperate-situation-for-civilians-trapped-in-frontline-areas-says-UN-Human-Rights-Ukraine), [Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/uk/ukrainski-vijskovi-dostavili-produkti-v-oleski-ova-pokazala-operaciu/a-79449892), [LIGA.net](https://news.liga.net/en/politics/news/melania-trump-announces-expansion-of-oleshky-ceasefire) |
| M1 | entire period | Volume of data collected: 55,722 posts from 15,303 Telegram channels, 25,752 web materials and the English-language GDELT feed for Feb. 24, 2022 – Oct. 29, 2026. This is our own count. |  |