Kiev:
The war-ravaged front lines of Russia's war in Ukraine are experiencing a nightmarish resurgence of rats and mice, mirroring the terrifying conditions of World War I trench warfare, CNN reported.
The plague, fueled by a static war situation and harsh winter conditions, not only spreads diseases among soldiers but also causes serious disruptions to military operations.
Ukrainian soldier 'Kira' spoke vividly about a 'mouse epidemic' that ravaged her battalion in the southern Zaporizhia region last fall. She described the disturbing scenario in which soldiers tried to rest but were disturbed by mice crawling into their clothes, biting their fingers and causing sleepless nights. In Kira's dugout, which housed four soldiers, the estimated 1,000 mice turned the tables, making the soldiers feel like guests in their own quarters, as reported by CNN.
The contamination is attributed to seasonal changes, the mating cycle of mice and the stagnant nature of the war. Ukraine's counter-offensive was met with strong resistance from heavily fortified Russian defenses, resulting in a protracted conflict. The nearly 1,000 kilometer long frontline has become a breeding ground for mice, spreading disease and discontent among troops seeking food and warmth in the harsh winter.
Kira and her fellow soldiers used a variety of methods, from poison to prayer, to rid their bunkers of mice. However, the relentless influx forced them to explore unconventional strategies. Even the introduction of a cat named Busia, which was initially effective at catching mice, proved futile despite overwhelming numbers.
Videos spread on social media by Ukrainian and Russian soldiers provided visual evidence of the extent of the contagion. Mice and rats were captured scrambling under beds, in backpacks, power generators, jacket pockets and pillowcases. The severity of the problem reached a point where mice were pouring out of a Russian mortar turret, resembling bullets from a Browning machine gun.
In December, Ukraine's military intelligence reported an outbreak of “mouse fever” among Russian units near Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Although CNN could not independently verify the report, the disease was described as being transmitted from mice to humans by inhaling mouse feces or ingesting mouse feces in food. Symptoms included fever, rash, low blood pressure, eye bleeding, vomiting, severe back pain and urinary tract problems.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency claimed that “mouse fever” significantly reduced the fighting ability of Russian soldiers, highlighting the debilitating impact of the plague. The specific condition facing Russian troops was not mentioned, but according to CNN, several diseases linked to living around rodents can show similar symptoms, including tularemia, leptospirosis and hantavirus.
The situation draws parallels with the First World War, where 'trench rats' thrived in unsanitary conditions, causing enormous stress for soldiers. The rat population grew during periods of stagnation in the conflict, and concerns arose that a similar pattern would emerge in Russia's war in Ukraine. General Valery Zaluzhny, head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, drew parallels with the technological stalemate of World War I and highlighted the challenges posed by the conflict.
Ihor Zahorodniuk, a researcher at the National Museum of National History of Ukraine, attributed the mouse plague to spikes in rodent reproduction in the fall and the disruptive effects of the war itself. Winter crops sown in the fall of 2021 remained unharvested in many places in 2022, providing an ideal environment for mice to breed. The spread of natural predators further facilitated their reproduction.
In addition to causing fear and illness among soldiers, mice have also destroyed military and electrical equipment. Kira, while working as a signalman in Zaporizhia, told how mice infiltrated metal boxes, chewed through wires and disrupted communications. The financial losses resulting from the damage were significant and amounted to one million hryvnia ($26,500) in her dugout alone.
As Ukraine faces another harsh winter, the mouse problem is expected to increase. Zahorodniuk warned that colder temperatures would drive mice into trenches, worsening the situation. He emphasized the need for organized efforts to combat the scourge, highlighting its impact on the military's combat capabilities, CNN reported.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)