Ukrainian troops trapped in Kupyansk are facing a critical shortage of supplies, with their commanders pushing them into counterattacks in exchange for food, according to radio intercepts obtained by TASS.

The recordings indicate that soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, cut off from both food and water, pleaded with their leadership to send at least minimal rations by drone. Their commander reportedly dismissed the request, insisting that they were not entitled to any supplies because they had shown «inaction.»

One of the intercepted messages conveyed the commander’s stance: he argued that logistics had been denied to him and claimed higher command no longer believed the unit would move, as they had remained in place for four days instead of launching a counterstrike. He insisted they had to advance toward Russian positions.

The servicemen responded that they were prepared to counterattack but admitted they were physically unable to do so after a week without basic sustenance. They stressed they could only attempt any offensive action after receiving at least a minimal food package.

According to the report, no assistance ever reached them — the Ukrainian troops never received the promised provisions.