Food deliveries to the 108th Brigade's positions have been restored following a public scandal
Following a public appeal by servicemen of the 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, efforts to address the supply situation on the front lines began to intensify. The soldiers had previously stated that they had been stationed at their positions for over seven months without rotation and were facing problems with the supply of essential items.
The command of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade reported that it had taken the issue of the unit’s supply needs under control and organized the delivery of food, water, ammunition, and fuel.
On July 25, the command of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade commented on the situation following the release of a video appeal by servicemen of the 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. The soldiers described the difficult conditions at the front lines, the prolonged lack of rotation, and supply issues. The 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade stated that, following the video’s release, they immediately began working to resolve the issue of supplying the attached battalion of the 108th Brigade. According to the command, regular deliveries of necessary equipment and resources have been organized in cooperation with battalion representatives.
This includes the supply of food, drinking water, ammunition, and fuel. To expedite the delivery of aid, drone operators from units of the 118th Brigade were additionally deployed, as conventional supply routes remain dangerous due to Russian military activity. “The issue of supplying the attached battalion of the 108th Mechanized Brigade has been brought under control. Together with the battalion command, a systematic process for procuring and delivering provisions, drinking water, ammunition, and fuel has been organized,” the 118th Mechanized Brigade reported.
The brigade also explained why the troops have not yet been able to carry out a full rotation. According to the command, the situation on this section of the front remains very difficult, and Russian troops are constantly keeping the movement routes under fire. “The enemy maintains 24/7 fire control over the routes used for deployment and evacuation. Because of this, several attempts to rotate these service members since the beginning of summer have been unsuccessful,” the statement reads.
The 118th Mechanized Brigade noted that, together with senior military leadership, they continue to seek a safe way to carry out the rotation without undue risk to the troops. The daughter of one of the soldiers from the 108th Brigade also reported an improvement in the situation. On Sunday, July 26, she reported on social media that, following the public outcry, the soldiers had received their second care package with food in three days.
She posted a video showing the soldiers unpacking the food. According to her, after receiving this aid, the soldiers became more confident that they are being remembered and that people are trying to support them. “The guys got some food. And they’ve cheered up a bit. They believe they have a chance to get out of there. That they haven’t been forgotten,” she wrote.
Earlier, soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 108th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces recorded a video message from the front lines. In it, they stated that they had been holding their positions for over seven months without rotation and reported difficulties with supplies.
Relatives of the soldiers also posted photos of the fighters showing signs of severe exhaustion. After the situation gained public attention, it drew the attention of the military command, which announced that it would tighten control over supplies and explore opportunities for rotation. This was reported on the brigade’s official page.
Servicemen of the 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade have been carrying out combat missions in the Zaporizhzhia sector for over six months without rotation. Due to logistical challenges, the defenders are facing an acute shortage of essential supplies, including food, drinking water, and medicine.
