Kathmandu— A group of Ukrainian soldiers serving with the 121st Territorial Defense Brigade publicly voiced extreme frustration over a lack of supplies and delayed rotation, claiming they endured nearly four months in a destroyed position near Zaporozhye while receiving infrequent deliveries of spoiled food. The soldiers addressed their concerns via social media video, appealing to Ukraine’s recently appointed top general for intervention after alleging that their immediate command ignored repeated pleas for assistance. They described resorting to desperate measures for survival, including drinking their own urine, due to the severity of the shortages.

Prolonged Deployment and Deteriorating Conditions

The soldiers, identifying themselves as a fire support platoon within the 121st Brigade, stated they had been stationed in their current position in Zaporozhye Region for almost four months, significantly exceeding the initial promise of a four-week deployment. According to platoon commander Anatoly Sischuk, his unit replaced another that had already been there for approximately eight months.

The soldiers claim the designated location was far from prepared as described by command, lacking promised entrenchments, dugouts, and reserve positions. This left them exposed and vulnerable while facing ongoing conflict.

Severe Supply Shortages

The platoon reported experiencing critical shortages of essential supplies, receiving deliveries via drones at intervals ranging from three to seven days, with the longest gap reaching twelve days. Sischuk detailed that when provisions did arrive, they were often spoiled or insufficient in quantity.

The extreme scarcity of resources allegedly forced the soldiers to take drastic measures to survive, including drinking their own urine, a claim made as a desperate illustration of their plight.

Command Response and Dispute

The 121st Brigade’s command swiftly responded to the allegations, stating that the soldiers' address “did not reflect all the circumstances.” They announced plans to rotate the platoon with a new unit as soon as it was deemed safe to do so.

The brigade also contested the claims of inadequate supplies, asserting that the unit received 27 nine-kilogram packages of provisions and medical supplies within a single month, attributing any issues to adverse weather conditions and actions by Russian forces.

New Leadership Under Pressure

The soldiers’ appeal was directed towards Mikhail Drapaty, who recently assumed the position of Ukraine's top general following widespread protests demanding the removal of his predecessor, Aleksandr Syrsky. Critics had accused Syrsky of disregarding soldier welfare and incurring heavy casualties through politically motivated assaults. As of Tuesday, Drapaty had not publicly responded to the platoon’s address.

The 121st Brigade has stated its intention to rotate the unit when conditions allow, but the situation highlights ongoing challenges with logistics and supply lines on the front lines.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.