Shocking photos of Ukrainian soldiers, top commander dismissed

2026-04-24 16:45:12Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Shocking photos of Ukrainian soldiers, top commander dismissed

A scandal has erupted in Ukraine after images of emaciated soldiers on the front line were published on social media, leading to the dismissal of a senior commander from the Defense Ministry.

The photos were published by Anastasiia Silchuk, the wife of one of the soldiers, and show four soldiers visibly malnourished, with significant weight loss after months in difficult conditions at the front.

According to family members, the soldiers had spent about eight months in a position on the left bank of the Oskil River, near the town of Kupiansk, where supplies of food, water, and medicine were only provided via drones.

"When they arrived at the front they weighed 80-90 kg, while now they weigh about 50 kg," Silchuk wrote, adding that in some cases soldiers have gone up to 17 days without food, forced to drink rainwater or melt snow to survive.

Other relatives also raised concerns about the dire situation. Ivanna Poberezhnyuk stated that "the fighters are losing consciousness from hunger," while some of them still remain trapped in exposed positions.

The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that the commander responsible for logistics has been replaced and acknowledged the difficulties in supply, stressing that the area is very close to Russian lines and any deliveries are made under high risk.

"Everything is done with drones. Russian forces are particularly targeting supply lines," a spokesman said, underlining the challenges on the ground.

Ukrainian authorities have launched an investigation into the case, while sources on the ground report that the situation has begun to improve following a change of command and increased supplies.

"My husband wrote to me that he has eaten more now than in the last eight months," Silchuk said, adding that the soldiers still need medical treatment and rotation.


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