Overview

• A leaked GUR intercept captures a soldier nicknamed Brelok admitting he killed and ate his comrade, call sign Foma, over a two-week period near Kupiansk.
• Both men served in the 52nd separate reconnaissance battalion operating along the Zapadne–Lyman Pershyi axis, and Brelok was later found dead.
• Ukrainian officials cite the episode as proof of a deep moral and psychological decline among some Russian occupation forces.
• Since late 2023, Russia has freed convicted killers, including cannibal Dmitry Malyshev and murderer Alexander Maslennikov, in exchange for military service.
• The authenticity of the intercepted calls has not been independently verified and Russia’s Defense Ministry has yet to respond to the allegations.