Ukrainian military intelligence has alleged that Russian troops on the front lines resorted to cannibalism during the winter months as food supplies dwindled. According to reporting by the Sunday Times, Ukrainian officials shared photographs and intercepted audio messages that they claim document several isolated incidents in which Russian soldiers killed and ate fellow servicemen. The newspaper said it was unable to independently verify the claims, and Russia dismissed the allegations as fabrications.

In one reported case in the Donetsk region in November 2025, a soldier allegedly killed two comrades and attempted to eat one of them before being shot dead by fellow troops. Intercepted messages and images reviewed by the newspaper, including assessments by a medical professional, suggested the injuries were caused by a sharp object rather than battlefield weapons. Other intercepted communications from different units included accusations and warnings referencing cannibalism among starving soldiers.

Military analysts cited in the report said that poor logistical support for Russian infantry is credible, particularly during harsh winter conditions that strain supply lines. The article also noted that Ukrainian forces have faced their own supply shortages. Claims of cannibalism have historically surfaced in wartime propaganda, adding further uncertainty to the unverified allegations as Russia seeks to recruit hundreds of thousands of additional troops in 2026.