European Parliament vice-president fasts over Oleshky blockade
Pina Picierno has launched a hunger strike to press for humanitarian access and civilian evacuation from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city. More than 450 people have joined the campaign, she said.
European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno is staging a hunger strike over conditions in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in Ukraine’s Kherson region. The Italian lawmaker began the protest on October 20, describing it as a peaceful effort to mobilize international attention.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Thursday, October 22, that Ukrainian authorities estimate roughly 1,700 residents, including more than 50 children, remain in the city. They say people face shortages of food and medicine as well as a lack of electricity, gas and safe drinking water.
Picierno said more than 450 supporters had joined the initiative, which calls on Russian authorities to permit aid deliveries and provide a secure evacuation route. She said efforts to arrange departures were under way but disclosed no concrete agreement.
Addressing Vladimir Putin, Picierno called him a “criminal and murderer” and demanded that civilians be allowed to leave. She also rejected claims that the Russian president genuinely seeks peace, arguing that Moscow has offered no practical evidence of such an intention.
