The GuardianThe Guardian

‘We were allowed to be slaughtered’: Calls by Russian forces intercepted

By Daniel Boffey and Pjotr Sauer

20 Dec 2022 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

Ukraine has been eavesdropping on Russian soldiers in its search for intelligence. As the Guardian reports, some conversations have been made public to reveal the reality of life on the frontline.

Out on the frontline, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman, on 8 November at 15.10, a Russian serviceman called Andrey decided to ignore the orders of his superiors and call his mother with an unauthorised mobile phone.

“No one feeds us anything, mum,” he complained. “Our supply is shit, to be honest. We draw water from puddles, then we strain it and drink it.”

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