Allegations have emerged that some Russian troops fighting in Ukraine have resorted to extreme survival measures amid reports of severe shortages on the frontline, though these claims remain disputed.
According to reports citing Ukrainian intelligence sources, intercepted communications and images suggest that soldiers may be facing starvation conditions during harsh winter deployments, The Sunday Times reported.
The claims include accounts of isolated incidents in which troops allegedly turned on each other after running out of supplies.
One of the most widely cited incidents reportedly took place in November 2025 near Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region. A soldier, identified only by a call sign, was alleged to have killed fellow troops and attempted to consume human remains. The individual was later confronted and killed after opening fire on others who approached him.
In intercepted messages attributed to Russian officers, concerns were raised about the lack of food on the frontline. One officer was quoted as saying soldiers were on “starvation rations,” while another questioned whether troops were being adequately supplied.
Additional communications referenced separate complaints from soldiers unwilling to share shelter with individuals accused of such acts, highlighting tensions and deteriorating morale in some units.
Independent analysis cited in reports suggested that certain images linked to the claims did not appear digitally altered, although the full context and verification remain unclear. However, Russian authorities have strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated and describing them as propaganda.
While the reports point to extreme hardship in some areas of the conflict, there is no independently verified, widespread evidence confirming systematic occurrences of such behaviour. The claims remain contested and part of the broader information war surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.