Ukrainian intelligence officials have accused starving Russian troops on the front lines of engaging in cannibalism amid harsh wartime conditions. Reports indicate disturbing evidence, including intercepted audio exchanges and images, suggests multiple incidents of Russian soldiers consuming the remains of their comrades.

Allegations of Horrific Acts

According to Ukrainian intelligence, there is proof of at least five such cases, with soldiers accused by their peers and commanders of these horrific acts. Cybersecurity experts monitoring Telegram, a popular messaging app among Russian forces, reportedly obtained the files.

The Case of 'Khromoy'

One particularly chilling allegation involves a soldier known as 'Khromoy' ('limpy' in Russian). He is accused of killing two comrades and attempting to eat part of one of their bodies near Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region in November 2025. 'Khromoy' was reportedly a member of the 95th regiment of the 5th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade.

Graphic Details from Telegram Exchanges

A Telegram exchange details the gruesome act, with an unnamed officer sharing graphic images with Lieutenant Razikov Vladislav Abdulkhalykovych, deputy commander of the brigade’s reconnaissance battalion. AI detection tools confirmed the images were not digitally altered, and an independent conflict surgeon noted the injuries appeared to be caused by a sharp knife, not battlefield explosions.

Audio messages from the exchange allegedly capture the officer describing the scene, stating one soldier killed two others and attempted to eat one of them, using a meat grinder to process the flesh. The officer lamented the dire conditions, suggesting starvation rations were driving soldiers to desperation.

Other Alleged Incidents

Separate Telegram conversations reference other alleged cases. One soldier with the call sign 'Most' complained about sharing a dugout with a comrade accused of eating human flesh. Another exchange from October 2025 involved a unit commander near Pokrovsk rebuking a subordinate for allegedly consuming Ukrainian soldiers.

A message from a brigade chief of staff in December explicitly forbade cannibalism, along with alcohol, drugs, and unauthorized movement.

Russian Embassy Denies Claims

The Russian Embassy in London dismissed the claims as fabrications by Ukrainian military intelligence, calling them propaganda. If accurate, these incidents appear to be isolated, occurring during the harshest winter months when supply routes were strained and food was scarce.