Cannibalism Among Undersupplied Russian Troops Raises Alarm in Ukraine
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has released an intercepted audio recording revealing a shocking act among Russian forces on the Ukrainian frontlines. In the recording, a commander from a reconnaissance unit—allegedly part of Russia’s 68th Motorized Rifle Division—reports that a soldier, identified by the call sign “Brelok,” killed and consumed his fellow soldier “Foma” over the course of two weeks.
“Nobody ran away. ‘Brelok’ took him out and then ate him for two f***ing weeks,” the commander is heard saying.
According to the intercept, both soldiers were serving in the 52nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, operating near Zapadne and Lyman Pershyi in the Kupiansk sector of Kharkiv Oblast. The audio further indicates that “Brelok” was later found dead—“a 200,” meaning killed in action—prompting the commander to reflect darkly on the implications:
“He ate his comrade, so that’s something to think about.”
Ukrainian intelligence presents the recording as evidence of deep psychological and moral collapse within Russian ranks, attributing it at least partly to Russia’s aggressive recruitment strategies. Over the course of the war, Russia has increasingly turned to prison populations to replenish its military ranks, including violent offenders and convicted killers, with many deployed under parole rather than having their sentences fully overturned.
Previous reports have flagged instances of exceedingly brutal behavior by convicts serving in Russia’s penal military units. For example, individuals with histories of murder and dismemberment have been incorporated into these frontline formations.
Contextualizing the allegation within broader patterns, various media outlets and investigative platforms have documented widespread disciplinary breakdown, abuse, and psychological distress within Russian formations. Reports include forced hazing reminiscent of Soviet-era practices, instances of Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian forces while citing inhumane treatment by their own units, and even the existence of “punishment squads” wielding severe physical and coercive tactics.
This audio recording highlights the intensifying psychological toll of Russia’s invasion strategy which has relied heavily on hastily assembled troops, including hardened criminals and prisoners.
The case also exemplifies the broader information warfare setting, where intercepted communications serve both as battlefield intelligence and as propaganda tools.
For Ukraine’s commanders and its civilian leadership, the recording signals yet another front of moral warfare: conveying to global audiences not just territorial conflict but deep questions of human decency, military discipline, and the preservation of basic moral order—on both sides of the fight.
