In recent weeks, rats and mice have become a major problem at the front in Ukraine.
The animals seek shelter in combat vehicles because of the cold – and risk spreading diseases.
Among the Russian troops, there are now reports of fever, vomiting – and bleeding in the eyes.
Rats and mice are causing it on some parts of the front in Ukraine, the British Ministry of Defense says in its daily update on the war.
Rat and mouse infestations have reached “exceptional levels”, according to the department.
“As the weather has gotten colder, the animals are probably seeking shelter in vehicles and defensive positions. Rodents will put further pressure on the morale of the soldiers at the front line,” it said in a statement.
Chows down on cables and spreads diseases
Rats and mice also pose a risk to military equipment on both sides of the war, partly because the animals gnaw cables.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service, DIU, also states that rats and mice have become a major problem – especially for Russian troops.
In a post on the Telegram messaging service, the DIU states that diseases are spreading among Russian soldiers in the Kupyansk region of eastern Ukraine. Being bitten by rats or eating food contaminated with animal feces can make people sick.
“Symptoms of rat bite fever include severe headache, body temperature of up to 40 degrees, rash and redness, drop in blood pressure, bleeding in the eyes, nausea and vomiting several times a day,” writes the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service.
Great Britain: “Increased number of disease cases”
According to the DIU, the fighting ability of the Russian soldiers is affected “significantly” due to illnesses.
The British Ministry of Defense has also taken note of the information on disease outbreaks.
“Unverified reports also indicate that Russian units are beginning to suffer from an increased number of illness cases which the troops attribute to pest problems”.