On 22 March, the Ukrainian government warned Kherson was facing a "humanitarian catastrophe" as the city was running out of food and medical supplies and accused Russia of blocking evacuation of civilians to Ukraine-controlled territory.[27][28] Russia countered by saying that its military helped deliver aid to the city's population.[29] A local journalist stated that there was only a staged event, in which former prisoners from Crimea were brought in to act as locals welcoming the Russians and accepting their assistance.[30] According to several media outlets, residents report intrusive checkpoints, abductions, and Russian looting of shops.[31][32]