Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has released an intercepted audio recording revealing a shocking act among Russian forces on the Ukrainian frontlines. In the recording, a commander from a reconnaissance unit—allegedly part of Russia’s 68th Motorized Rifle Division—reports that a soldier, identified by the call sign “Brelok,” killed and consumed his fellow soldier “Foma” over the course of two weeks.

“Nobody ran away. ‘Brelok’ took him out and then ate him for two f***ing weeks,” the commander is heard saying.

According to the intercept, both soldiers were serving in the 52nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, operating near Zapadne and Lyman Pershyi in the Kupiansk sector of Kharkiv Oblast. The audio further indicates that “Brelok” was later found dead—“a 200,” meaning killed in action—prompting the commander to reflect darkly on the implications:

“He ate his comrade, so that’s something to think about.”

Ukrainian intelligence presents the recording as evidence of deep psychological and moral collapse within Russian ranks, attributing it at least partly to Russia’s aggressive recruitment strategies. Over the course of the war, Russia has increasingly turned to prison populations to replenish its military ranks, including violent offenders and convicted killers, with many deployed under parole rather than having their sentences fully overturned.

Previous reports have flagged instances of exceedingly brutal behavior by convicts serving in Russia’s penal military units. For example, individuals with histories of murder and dismemberment have been incorporated into these frontline formations.