Ukraine: Russian troops resorting to cannibalism

Kyiv: Ukraine’s military intelligence has alleged some Russian troops may have resorted to cannibalism amid extreme battlefield shortages, citing intercepted communications, testimonies and shared material with media outlets including The Sunday Times and the Kyiv Post. Sources claimed at least five such incidents, including one near Myrnohrad in Donetsk region in Nov 2025, where a soldier allegedly killed comrades and attempted to consume human remains.

According to Ukrainian officials, frontline units have faced acute shortages of food and supplies, with some troops reportedly surviving on “starvation rations”. In one intercepted exchange, a commander is heard warning a subordinate to “stop f**ing eating people”, underscoring what Kyiv describes as collapsing discipline under prolonged combat stress.

The claims remain unverified. The Russian Embassy in London dismissed them as “fabrications” by Ukrainian intelligence, accusing Kyiv of waging a propaganda campaign.

Military analysts note such allegations emerge amid an intense information war. Reports of supply disruptions have also surfaced on the Ukrainian side, with damaged logistics near Kupyansk forcing reliance on boats and drones. The competing narratives highlight the severe and deteriorating conditions faced by troops on both sides of the conflict.