“RBC Ukraine” writes that, according to relatives of the soldiers, the soldiers of the 14th Motorized Rifle Brigade did not have adequate supplies for several months, drank rainwater and starved.
The brigade is stationed in Kharkiv region, near Kupyansk. The unit’s logistics are said to have been hampered by Russian shelling at the Oskil River crossings.
The critical situation in the 2nd mechanized battalion of the 14th brigade, which was carrying out tasks in the direction of Kharkiv, became public in social networks and the media.
According to relatives of the soldiers, they were in positions in extremely difficult conditions for as long as 8 months.
Ivana Poberežniuk, the daughter of a former soldier of the brigade, shared a photo of very exhausted soldiers on the Threads social network and indicated that they were assigned to this brigade.
According to the girl, due to the lack of supplies, the soldiers are forced to drink rainwater and are fainting from hunger.
“Guys in positions without food or water! Command is not responding. Soldiers are fainting from hunger, drinking rainwater. Also communication problems. Please share these photos,” she wrote.
Anastasija Silčiuk, the wife of another soldier, posted an appeal to the soldiers on Facebook, saying that they have to find water themselves by melting snow or collecting rain, and shipments and medicine only arrive every 1-2 weeks.
“We have volunteered to defend Ukraine on the first day of a full-scale invasion. We are asking the senior leadership to address this situation and prevent treasonous actions,” the statement said.
It is noted that even critically important medicines are delivered only together with food. If water is delivered, its volume reaches 1.4-2.5 liters.
The ministry responded
The Ministry of Defense of the country responded to the scandal that caused great resonance in Ukraine. In the comments under Ivanna Poberežniuk’s post, it is said that the new commander of the 14th brigade has taken control of the situation.
The ministry admitted that the situation at the front could be critical and the logistics difficult.
The press service of the 14th brigade confirmed the problems and explained them by the difficult delivery of cargo to the positions.
Logistical problems are said to be caused by constant shelling, which has led to supply deliveries being mostly carried out by drones.
The brigade also released a video demonstrating the complexity of logistics under enemy fire.
The General Staff of Ukraine also made an official comment on Friday. According to him, logistics in the Kupyansk region are complicated by systematic Russian attacks on crossings over the Oskil River.
However, the inspection also revealed management blunders that covered up supply problems and the loss of some positions.
For this reason, the General Staff of Ukraine removed the commander of the 14th brigade, dismissed and demoted the commander of the 10th army corps.
The entire structure of the 10th Army Corps is reportedly under review over the scandal. The Joint Task Force called the situation a “disgraceful management fiasco.”
The report notes that the problems are the result of long-term solutions, although the situation was previously said to be under control.
The units are said to be facing problems in organizing the use of drones, and the occupiers are having a strong impact on Ukraine’s logistics and airspace in the region.
Meanwhile, Ukraine lacks the resources to effectively respond to these challenges.
It is reported that after the scandal, food packages were delivered to the positions. The soldiers confirmed that they now have the necessary equipment, but are waiting for the rotation.
