Russian soldiers forced to drink from puddles amid water shortage in Ukraine, MOD says
Russian soldiers are drinking from stagnant puddles due to water shortages in Ukraine, according to Ministry of Defence intelligence.
The MOD says the strikes on infrastructure have impacted water supply, and shortages are likely to affect Russia's morale on the frontline.
"This has highly likely led to an increase of waterborne diseases amongst Russian soldiers. The shortage of water leading to dehydration and increased risk of infection, will almost certainly impact morale and operational effectiveness," the MOD update said.
"Damage inflicted during ongoing Russian strikes against the utility infrastructure is now almost certainly curtailing water supply.
"Any water supply issues will have been exacerbated by a period of above-average temperature in the region."
Earlier this year, a pro-Russian military blogger revealed that Russian pilots only had access to one litre of water a day, which is a quarter of the minimum requirement when working in high temperatures.
They were reportedly going to locals for water, and the blogger appealed to Russian water companies, encouraging them to supply Russian military bases with additional water in the Rostov, Voronezh and Crimean air bases.
The news comes as Ukraine presses its biggest cross-border incursion since the start of the war into Russia's Kursk region.
The country's top commander says Kyiv's forces have control of 1,000 sq km of Russian territory.
Increasing numbers of people have been evacuated from the western Russian region for their safety.
Russia will have sustained more than half a million personnel killed or wounded in its invasion of Ukraine by 2025 if casualties continue at the current rate, the UK believes.
Join Our Newsletter
