No Food, No Water, No Orders—Intercepts Reveal Russian Troops Left to Rot

Russian troops deployed in Ukraine are increasingly reporting critical shortages of food and water, according to intercepted communications released by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On February 3, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) published an audio recording on its official YouTube channel, in which a Russian soldier describes severe supply problems affecting his unit.

The soldier complains of extreme weight loss and exhaustion, stating that his uniform now “hangs on him like a coat hanger” due to malnutrition. “We don’t eat, we don’t drink at all… If I turn sideways, you wouldn’t even notice me,” he says in the recording.

The soldier claims food deliveries to his unit have essentially stopped, leaving troops to rely on whatever limited supplies they can find. The intercepted conversation reflects what Ukrainian intelligence says is a growing trend: frontline Russian forces left without basic logistical support.

The soldier also notes that his physical condition has deteriorated to the point where he could only be identified by his beard, suggesting a broader decline in morale and well-being. Ukrainian officials say such accounts have become increasingly common in recent weeks.

“These complaints indicate systemic problems in the Russian army’s logistics and show the inability of commanders to ensure even the most basic provisions for troops on the front line,” Ukraine’s military intelligence said in a statement accompanying the release.

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War in Ukraine

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In response to the worsening conditions, Ukraine’s defense intelligence service reiterated the availability of its “I Want to Live” project, offering Russian soldiers a chance to surrender safely through a dedicated Telegram bot.

The publication of the intercept comes amid broader reports of Russian battlefield fatigue and attrition. While the Kremlin has made efforts to project strength, evidence from Ukraine’s intelligence services points to mounting logistical stress and declining troop welfare across multiple sectors of the front.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate reported that Russian soldiers on the front lines have begun turning to opioids like trimethylfentanyl and dolophine to cope with psychological exhaustion, failed assaults, and heavy losses—citing intercepted calls in which troops described drug use as the only way to endure the war.

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