Ukrainian troops deliver four tons of aid to occupied Oleshky by drones

By Yusuf Inan | Wise News Press

KHERSON, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces carried out a major humanitarian delivery operation to Russian-occupied Oleshky, using drones to transport about four tons of food across the Dnipro River to civilians trapped in the city.

Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the food packages were delivered to 100 pre-selected locations across Oleshky. According to Ukrainian officials, the operation was part of an ongoing effort to support residents who remain under occupation and have limited access to basic supplies.

Aid delivered by drones

The drone-based operation targeted one of the most difficult humanitarian zones in southern Ukraine. Oleshky lies on the Russian-occupied left bank of the Dnipro River, opposite Kherson, and has remained largely cut off from regular Ukrainian aid routes.

Prokudin said Ukrainian forces have been delivering food to the city systematically, using unmanned aerial systems to bypass physical barriers and security risks along the river line.

The latest delivery included roughly four tons of food, distributed across 100 locations to increase the chances that civilians could reach supplies without gathering in one exposed area.

Thousands remain in occupied Oleshky

According to the Kherson regional administration, around 2,000 people remain in Oleshky, including nearly 50 children. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, the city had a population of about 24,000.

Ukrainian officials say many residents are surviving without stable access to food, electricity and clean water. Local authorities also report that civilians face serious obstacles when trying to leave the occupied area.

The wider Oleshky community, which includes 13 settlements, is believed to still have about 6,000 residents, including around 180 children.

Claims of pressure on civilians

Prokudin accused Russian occupation forces of trying to disrupt humanitarian deliveries. He said drones carrying provisions had been shot down and claimed that food meant for children and elderly people was being confiscated or resold.

Ukrainian officials also allege that some residents have faced detention and violence after receiving humanitarian packages. These claims could not be independently verified from the occupied territory, where access for Ukrainian authorities, journalists and international organizations remains severely restricted.

Evacuation efforts remain blocked

Ukraine has been seeking ways to evacuate civilians from Oleshky and nearby occupied settlements since spring. Human rights officials have previously said that negotiations were under way, but Russian participation in a humanitarian evacuation operation had not been confirmed.

The lack of an agreed evacuation mechanism has left many residents dependent on irregular aid deliveries and local survival networks.

A high-risk humanitarian route

The use of drones for food delivery highlights the difficulty of reaching civilians in occupied frontline areas. Traditional humanitarian convoys cannot safely enter Oleshky from Ukrainian-controlled territory, while the Dnipro River and ongoing military activity make access extremely dangerous.

Ukrainian officials say the drone deliveries will continue where technically possible, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, elderly residents and people with limited mobility.

The operation also underlines a growing role for unmanned systems beyond combat: in some frontline communities, drones have become one of the few remaining ways to move essential supplies across blocked or dangerous routes.

WiseNewsPress.com