Russian Soldiers Turn to Opioids as Troop Morale Rapidly Declines

Russian infantry units stationed on the frontlines in Ukraine are resorting to opioid use to manage psychological stress from constant battlefield losses, failed assaults, and high casualty rates, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

According to statement published on the official Telegram channel of Ukraine’s HUR on January 31, radio intercepts of Russian military communications reveal that soldiers are actively seeking narcotic substances—including trimethylfentanyl, dolophine, and phenadone—to “make the combat days more bearable.”

One Russian soldier was recorded asking another, “Do you happen to have any trimethylfentanyl, phenadone, or dolophine? Just to somehow smooth out these combat days… psychologically, it’s already unbearable.”

The intercepted exchange further suggests that some Russian troops have considered synthesizing drugs in field conditions. However, they reportedly lack the necessary chemical components. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the reagents here. All we have is paracetamol—and that would just poison us,” another soldier said.

HUR analysts suggest that opioid use is not isolated. Instead, they view it as symptomatic of broader breakdowns in morale and discipline within Russian units. According to their assessment, Russian military propaganda no longer sustains combat motivation in the face of daily artillery fire from Ukraine, command dysfunction, and a perceived lack of strategic progress.

“The continued firepower of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, catastrophic losses, lawlessness among commanding officers, and the complete absence of future prospects appear to be offset only by drug use,” HUR stated.

Earlier, Ukraine’s military intelligence reported over 600 non-combat deaths among Russian troops in 2024–2025, including 112 from drug poisoning in 2025 alone—nearly matching the total for all of 2024. HUR cited rising suicides and substance abuse as signs of deep demoralization in the ranks.

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