The massive scandal surrounding the servicemen of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who were left without food and water on the frontline for weeks, has prompted a swift official response. Following a public outcry and interviews given by soldiers’ relatives to TSN.ua, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially intervened. It was revealed that the previous command deliberately concealed the catastrophic state of logistics, leading not only to the severe physical exhaustion of the defenders but also to the loss of several frontline positions.
“Drinking Rainwater and Eating Snow”
Anastasia S., the wife of one of the servicemen, shared shocking details about the extreme conditions her husband faced. According to her, the soldiers have been holding positions in the Kupyansk direction without rotation for nine to twelve months. “When the guys entered the positions, they weighed over 80-90 kg, but now their weight has dropped to about 50 kg,” the woman shared.
The servicemen had to survive in inhumane conditions. Supply drops by drones were extremely rare, and there were periods when they had no food for 15 to 17 consecutive days. Unable to receive bottled water, the defenders were forced to drink rainwater or melt snow to survive. Fortunately, rumors circulating on social media claiming that soldiers had to eat earthworms were not confirmed by their relatives.
The Logistical Crisis on the Kupyansk Direction
The General Staff explained that supplying units in the Kupyansk area is objectively challenging. Russian forces are conducting systematic aviation and missile strikes on crossings over the Oskil river. Consequently, frontline logistics are maintained primarily by boats and heavy cargo drones.
However, the primary cause of starvation among the 14th Brigade’s soldiers was not merely the complicated supply routes, but the negligence of their commanders. Instead of sounding the alarm and addressing the delivery issues, the former leadership simply silenced the crisis. The General Staff officially stated that the command hid the real state of affairs, resulting in tactical losses and critical logistical failures.
Command Overhaul and Rescue Efforts
Public resonance and the intervention of the highest military leadership finally yielded results. The Commander of the 14th Mechanized Brigade was removed from his post, and the Commander of the 10th Army Corps was dismissed and demoted.
Colonel Taras Maksimov has been appointed as the new commander of the 14th Brigade, while Brigadier General Artem Bohomolov now leads the 10th Army Corps. Furthermore, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty has been tasked with conducting a thorough inspection of the comprehensive provision for frontline troops.
Relatives confirm that the situation is already improving. Food has finally been delivered to the forward positions. “My husband wrote to me that he just ate as much as he hasn’t eaten in 8 months. The guys are eating little by little because their stomachs have shrunk,” noted Anastasia. The General Staff assured that as soon as the security situation permits, the exhausted soldiers will be immediately evacuated. A comprehensive commission of the Ground Forces is currently conducting an official investigation into the incident.