Ukrainian military intelligence has released intercepted communications and images alleging that Russian soldiers in the Donbas region resorted to cannibalism after killing their own comrades, according to reports published on Tuesday. The claims, which remain unverified by independent sources, describe a series of gruesome incidents near the front lines, where troops reportedly turned to extreme measures amid dire conditions.
The most recent case, documented in November 2025, centers on a Russian soldier identified only by the call sign “Khromoy.” According to intercepted Telegram messages reviewed by The Sunday Times, Khromoy allegedly killed two fellow soldiers in a basement near Myrnohrad, a town in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region. An anonymous officer later reported the incident to a superior, attaching photographs that appear to show a severed human leg.
The images, analyzed by the newspaper using specialized software, showed no signs of artificial manipulation, according to their assessment. An independent military surgeon who examined the photos told The Sunday Times that the injuries did not match typical combat wounds, such as those caused by explosions or shrapnel. Instead, the surgeon suggested the wounds were likely inflicted with a sharp object.
In one intercepted audio message, an officer described how two soldiers sent to locate Khromoy discovered him in a cellar with the bodies of his victims. The details, if confirmed, would mark one of the most disturbing accounts of wartime desperation to emerge from the conflict. Ukrainian intelligence officials said the evidence was gathered through cyber operations, including intercepted Telegram communications and other digital forensics, though they acknowledged the difficulty of independently verifying the claims.
The allegations approach as reports of severe supply shortages and deteriorating morale among Russian forces continue to surface. While the Ukrainian military has not provided further corroborating evidence, the accusations underscore the brutal realities faced by troops on both sides of the nearly two-and-a-half-year war. If true, the incidents would reflect a collapse in discipline and basic humanity under the strain of prolonged combat.
Ukrainian authorities have not released the full audio recordings or additional images to the public, citing ongoing investigations. The Russian government has not responded to the allegations, which follow previous reports of extreme behavior among Wagner Group mercenaries and other units recruited from prisons under promises of pardons.
For now, the claims remain unconfirmed, but they add to a growing body of accounts detailing the psychological and physical toll of the war. The development raises questions about the broader conditions facing Russian forces, including logistical failures and the potential for further breakdowns in command structure as the conflict drags on.
The war in Ukraine has already produced numerous accounts of atrocities, from executions of prisoners to attacks on civilian infrastructure. The latest allegations, while unverified, highlight the potential for even more extreme acts of violence as the conflict grinds into its third year. International observers have repeatedly warned that the prolonged fighting could lead to further erosion of military norms and human rights standards.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the need for independent verification of the claims. Without additional evidence, the allegations serve as a grim reminder of the war’s capacity to push individuals to the limits of survival—and beyond.
