Ukraine’s defense ministry has dismissed a senior commander following the emergence of photographs depicting a group of malnourished soldiers who have been stationed on the frontline for several months without adequate food and water.
The controversy arose after the spouse of one of the soldiers, Anastasiia Silchuk, shared the images on social media. The four men appeared pale and significantly undernourished, with visible ribcages and thin arms.
According to their relatives, the soldiers had been defending a diminishing area of territory on the left bank of the Oskil River, near the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, for eight months. Supplies of food and medicine could only be delivered by drone.
“When the lads first arrived at the frontlines, they weighed between 80 and 90 kg. Now, they weigh approximately 50 kg,” Silchuk stated.
She mentioned that after one delivery, no food arrived for 10 days, forcing the soldiers to rely on rainwater and melted snow for survival.
“The longest they went without food was 17 days. They were not heard on the radio, or perhaps no one wanted to listen to them. My husband cried out and pleaded, stating there was no food or water,” she remarked, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond just this one instance.
Another relative, Ivanna Poberezhnyuk, said the soldiers from the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade were in an extremely challenging predicament. “Fighters are losing consciousness due to hunger,” she noted. Her father was evacuated from the position, but others remained trapped there, she added.
Ukraine’s general staff confirmed that the commander responsible for the soldiers’ sustenance had been replaced. The brigade acknowledged the logistical challenges and stated that deliveries could only be made by air due to their proximity to enemy lines.
A spokesperson commented, “All operations are conducted via drones. The Russians pay close attention to the delivery of food, ammunition, and fuel. They intercept and shoot down as much as they can. Sometimes, they are more focused on logistics than on our military equipment.”
Since the onset of Vladimir Putin’s large-scale invasion in early 2022, the gray area between the two opposing sides has significantly widened. Both parties are utilizing drones extensively for reconnaissance and to target armored vehicles and infantry. Soldiers are compelled to march 10-15 kilometers to reach their forward positions.
In recent months, Ukraine has increasingly employed unmanned ground robots to deliver supplies to vulnerable areas and to evacuate injured soldiers. In the Kupiansk sector, Russia has demolished bridges over the Oskil River in an effort to isolate Ukrainian forces on the left bank.
Silchuk stated on Friday that conditions have improved since the matter was brought to attention.
“There’s a new commander,” she posted. “He contacted us and indicated that the situation is being addressed. And indeed, it is. My husband informed me that he had just consumed more food than he had in the past eight months.”
She continued, “The lads are gradually eating at the moment. Their stomachs have shrunk, and they are uncertain whether they will have food tomorrow. I believe this situation needed to be made public. A rotation is necessary; the boys need medical attention.”
Ukraine’s military leadership announced that it has initiated an investigation, “It is important to note that recently another food shipment was delivered to the position of the 14th Infantry Brigade. If conditions are favorable, an immediate evacuation of our soldiers will be executed,” it added.
