Topic analysis

Ukrainian soldiers left emaciated on frontline from lack of food and water

Ukraine’s defence ministry fired a top commander of the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade after Anastasiia Silchuk, the wife of one malnourished soldier, posted images of emaciated troops on social media. The soldiers had spent eight months defending territory near Kupiansk on the left bank of the Oskil River, surviving on rainwater and melted snow for up to 17 days without food due to Russian interception of drone deliveries; conditions have improved under a new commander, and the military has launched an investigation with plans to evacuate soldiers when feasible.