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Ukrainian soldiers left emaciated on frontline from lack of food and water (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 4 days ago by HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to c/world@lemmy.world

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Ukraine’s defence ministry has fired a top commander after photos emerged of a group of emaciated soldiers who have been left on the frontline for months without proper food and water.

The scandal erupted after the wife of one of the soldiers, Anastasiia Silchuk, posted the images on social media. The four men appeared to be pale and visibly malnourished, with prominent ribcages and thin arms.

The soldiers had spent eight months defending a shrinking bulge of territory on the left bank of the Oskil River, near the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, their relatives said. Supplies of food and medicines could only be flown in by drone.

“When the lads arrived at the frontlines, they weighed over 80–90kg. But now they weigh around 50kg,” Silchuk posted. After one delivery, she said, no more food turned up for 10 days. The soldiers were forced to drink rainwater and melt snow to survive.

“The longest they went without food was 17 days. They weren’t listened to on the radio, or perhaps no one wanted to listen to them. My husband shouted and begged, saying there was no food and water,” she said, adding that the problem was bigger than just one case.

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[-] Mr_WorldlyWiseman 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I already personally donate to the Ukrainian army, and my friends and I organize coordinated help for Ukraine.

I am not militarily trained, so I wouldn't be much help as a volunteer.

But you're right, Europeans should show more solidarity and support Ukraine more.

[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 days ago

Don't worry the Ukrainian conscripts who are thrown into a van and dumped at the frontlines aren't militarily trained either. You can get military training in Ukraine, just join the legion.

Or are you saying that you aren't willing to risk your life for the thing you demand others risk their lives for?

[-] Mr_WorldlyWiseman 1 points 2 days ago

Your argument hinges on the idea that everybody in Europe can just show up on the front lines and immediately get training and a drone army to control, and that is not the case for either the Ukrainian or the Russian side.

I am not demanding Ukrainians do anything. I just support those who want to fight against nazi imperialists.

[-] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You are demanding Ukrainians to do something. They are the ones getting forcefully conscripted and you support it. It's easy to make demands but you're in a position to take their place. You can certainly get that training and the drone.

this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2026

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