Rodents are running rampant over Russia’s troops and trenches in Ukraine. A video recently posted to social media shows a slice of life during modern trench warfare, with dozens of mice crawling through every nook and cranny they can find.
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The video was posted to X by an open-source intelligence account that monitors the war in Ukraine. A few pictures posted along with the video show what’s left of a Russian soldier’s slipper that was ravaged by the rodents.
Another post shows the carcass of a very large rat-like creature next to a Russian rifle. The nightmare fuel may appear, at first glance, to be a R.O.U.S., or rodent of unusual size. Those are the fictional creatures that inhabit the fire swamps in “The Princess Bride” movie.
However, the image is most likely of a very normal-sized nutria. Although they are nicknamed “swamp rats,” nutrias are different rodents and can grow up to 20 pounds. Like their rat and mouse cousins, they’re also known to spread disease.
Ukraine is also dealing with rodents in its trenches. Infestations are to be expected considering the conditions on the battlefield and the time of year.
Rodents like mice, rats and nutria are attracted to the waste and warmth created in and around trenches. Trash, food waste and human waste are all prime food sources, not to mention the more macabre dietary option, all the rotting corpses.
During World War I, trench warfare was responsible for a rapid explosion in Europe’s rodent population. Stories of trench rats stealing food straight from soldiers’ hands and infesting their living quarters was commonplace. Rat hunting became a common pastime for soldiers looking to burn off a little steam.
In Ukraine, with winter fast approaching, the growing rodent population is no doubt looking to repeat history by finding plenty of food, shelter and recreational activity in the nearest trench, foxhole or dugout.
