Ukrainian intelligence has reported instances of cannibalism among Russian troops
Ukrainian military intelligence has provided the British newspaper *The Sunday Times* with material which, according to its sources, indicates several instances of cannibalism among Russian troops in eastern Ukraine during the winter.
These are isolated incidents which, according to sources, may have occurred due to food shortages and harsh conditions on the front line. Ukrainian intelligence officers stated that they have evidence of at least five cases in which soldiers, according to their comrades or commanders, consumed the bodies of the dead.
According to information provided to journalists, the evidence includes photographs and intercepted audio recordings of conversations between Russian army officers. However, it is noted that The Sunday Times is unable to independently verify the authenticity of this material. The Russian side has previously dismissed such recordings, calling them fake.
Among the cases described is an incident which, according to intelligence, took place in November 2025 near Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region. It concerns a soldier with the call sign ‘Lame’, who, according to interlocutors in the intercepted messages, killed two fellow soldiers and attempted to consume the body of one of them. It is noted that he served in the 95th Regiment of the 5th Separate Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 51st Guards Combined Arms Army.
The materials also describe how the incident was reported via the Telegram messenger to one of the officers. Photographs were attached to the messages, including images of a body part and a photo of the soldier showing signs of exhaustion. According to an independent surgeon’s assessment, the injuries in the image could have been caused by a sharp object, rather than by an explosion.
In some audio messages, the speakers discuss the circumstances of the incident, as well as conditions of service. In particular, they mention a lack of food and the exhaustion of the soldiers.
Other conversations, which, according to the Ukrainian side, were obtained via Telegram, contain references to similar incidents. In one of them, a soldier refused to share a shelter with another fighter, claiming that the latter had eaten human flesh. In another instance, a unit commander reprimanded a subordinate for such actions.
There is also a message in which the chief of staff of one of the brigades forbids soldiers from consuming alcohol, drugs and engaging in cannibalism.
The Russian Embassy in London declined to comment on these allegations, dismissing them as fabrications spread by Ukrainian military intelligence.
The article notes that reports of cannibalism during wars have historically emerged during periods of severe famine. The siege of Leningrad during the Second World War is cited as an example.
According to a Ukrainian military source, combat operations often take place in urban areas, where opportunities to find food are limited. It is also noted that Russian soldiers have complained about expired rations or a lack of supplies, forcing them to resort to looting.
The Ukrainian side also states that Russian units are increasingly reporting food shortages. According to the I Want To Live project, around 10,000 Russian soldiers have surrendered, most of them over the past year.
American experts note that supplying troops is a complex task, particularly in the context of winter combat operations and active attacks on logistics. At the same time, they emphasise that data from intercepted communications requires careful assessment.
