Russian soldiers 'had to drink urine to survive' after being abandoned by commanders, POWs say
Russian prisoners of war captured during Operation Vivaldi in Donetsk report they were abandoned by their commanders without food, water, or ammunition. A group of 94 soldiers surrendered to Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps, claiming they survived by drinking their own urine and eating tree bark and nettles. These testimonies were released in a video by the 3rd Army Corps following a counteroffensive north of Lyman that reversed months of Russian gains. Other reports indicate Ukraine forced up to 250 Russian soldiers to surrender during the operation.
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- ✓ A group of 94 Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps in Donetsk during Operation Vivaldi.
- ✓ Russian POWs claim they were abandoned by commanders without food, water, or ammunition.
- ✓ Captured soldiers report drinking their own urine and eating tree bark to survive.
- ✓ Operation Vivaldi is a Ukrainian counteroffensive north of Lyman.
What changed
Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps released video testimonies from 94 Russian POWs detailing survival tactics after abandonment.
Live updates
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Russian POWs claim survival on urine and bark after commander abandonment
Russian prisoners of war captured during Operation Vivaldi in Donetsk report they were abandoned by their commanders without food, water, or ammunition. A group of 94 soldiers surrendered to Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps, claiming they survived by drinking their own urine and eating tree bark and nettles. These testimonies were released in a video by the 3rd Army Corps following a counteroffensive north of Lyman that reversed months of Russian gains. Other reports indicate Ukraine forced up to 250 Russian soldiers to surrender during the operation.
Why it matters
Operation Vivaldi targets a Russian salient north of Lyman. The reported abandonment of troops suggests significant breakdowns in Russian command and logistics during the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
What is confirmed
- A group of 94 Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps in Donetsk during Operation Vivaldi.
- Russian POWs claim they were abandoned by commanders without food, water, or ammunition.
- Captured soldiers report drinking their own urine and eating tree bark to survive.
- Operation Vivaldi is a Ukrainian counteroffensive north of Lyman.
Still unconfirmed
- Ukraine forced 250 Russian soldiers to surrender in a single operation.
- Biletskyi told Russian prisoners that conditions would become hell for them in two months.
What to watch next
- Official Russian military response to claims of commander abandonment
- Further testimony from prisoners captured during Operation Vivaldi
- Updates on the territorial status of the Lyman salient
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- The Kyiv Independent — Russian soldiers 'had to drink urine to survive' after being abandoned by commanders, POWs say
- Цензор.НЕТ — Biletskyi spoke with Russian prisoners: "You’ve drawn lucky ticket. In two months’ time, it’ll be hell for you lot here". VIDEO
- Interfax-Ukraine — Third Army Corps releases testimonies of Russians captured during operation Vivaldi
- Daily Star — Russian soldiers 'drink own urine and eat bark' as Putin's war machine collapses
- AOL.com — Putin humiliated as Russian POWs reveal cowardly commanders left them to die
- ua.news — Video: The occupiers ate tree bark and drank urine while waiting to be taken prisoner
- CNN — Ukraine says it forced 250 Russian soldiers to surrender in daring operation
- kyivindependent.com — Russian soldiers 'had to drink urine to survive' after being ...
- www.aol.com — Putin humiliated as Russian POWs reveal cowardly ... - AOL
- www.yahoo.com — Russian soldiers 'had to drink urine to survive' after being ...
- www.aol.com — Russian soldiers 'drink own urine and eat bark' as Putin's ...
- www.dailystar.co.uk — Russian soldiers 'drink own urine and eat bark' as Putin's ...
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