Ukrainian Military Command Dismissed After Soldiers Suffer Severe Malnutrition on Front Lines
Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed commanders from the 10th Corps and 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade in April 2026 after soldiers suffered severe malnutrition for months on the front lines, leaving some troops weighing nearly 40 kilograms less than their deployment weight.
The scandal emerged when soldiers’ wives, including Anastasiia Silchuk, posted images on social media showing emaciated troops with visible ribcages and dramatically thinned limbs. The photographs documented the condition of soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the 14th Mechanized Brigade stationed near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.
Eight Months Without Adequate Supplies
The affected soldiers had defended positions on the left bank of the Oskil River for eight months. According to family members, troops went without food for up to 17 days at a time and were forced to drink rainwater and melted snow.
Some soldiers reportedly fainted from hunger. Those who had weighed 80-90 kilograms at deployment lost dramatic amounts of weight, with one soldier losing nearly 40 kilograms according to relatives’ accounts.
Russian Forces Target Supply Lines
The 14th Brigade acknowledged that extreme proximity to Russian positions made traditional resupply impossible. Supplies could only be delivered by drone, but Russian forces systematically targeted these logistics operations.
“Russian forces intercepted and shot down supply drones carrying food, ammunition and fuel,” the brigade stated. The command prioritized targeting Ukrainian logistics networks, creating severe supply shortages.
Command Failures Under Investigation
Ukraine’s General Staff replaced the brigade commander, who was accused of concealing the true situation from higher command and failing to provide adequate support to frontline troops.
The current commander of the 10th Corps, Serhii Perts, was also relieved and demoted. Military investigators have launched formal inquiries into the command failures.
Following the public outcry and leadership changes, conditions reportedly improved under new command. Soldiers began receiving proper food supplies and medical attention was arranged for the malnourished troops.
The incident highlights the extreme logistical challenges facing Ukrainian forces in contested areas where Russian targeting of supply lines creates life-threatening conditions for frontline soldiers.