Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations urges Pope Leo XIV to save starving Ukrainian victims of Russian blockade

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations appealed to Pope Leo XIV and other global faith leaders to help save Ukrainian civilians facing starvation due to a Russian blockade. In a Sept. 19 appeal, the council called for urgent action to address a humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.

The council reported that more than 6,000 people, including approximately 200 children, are trapped in a gray zone near the front line under temporary Russian occupation. According to the council, Russian forces have imposed a humanitarian blockade, with the last food supplies delivered to the area at the end of May. The Institute for the Study of War confirmed in a Sept. 17 assessment that Oleshky has not received food deliveries since May 26.

The Institute for the Study of War stated that Russia has used deprivation and bureaucratic mismanagement as weapons, leaving thousands at risk of starvation, disease, and abuse. Drone attacks, mines, and occupation forces have prevented residents from fleeing the area. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted in a Sept. 21 post that Russian officials have repeatedly refused to allow humanitarian aid or evacuations.