Since the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, the international community has witnessed a series of serious violations of international humanitarian law. Among them, one of the most concerning and least visible is the systematic use of starvation as a war tactic. Both Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian populations have become victims of extreme malnutrition, lack of access to basic foods, and living conditions incompatible with human dignity.
Prisoners of War: Starvation, Punishment, and Torture
According to a study by Danish researcher Ergun Cakal from the University of Copenhagen, food deprivation in detention contexts is not only a violation of the right to health but can also constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. His article published in the journal Torture details how the quality and quantity of food provided in detention centers must meet international standards to ensure human rights. Known as the Mandela Rules of the United Nations, they were adopted in 2015.
This regulation includes norms on proper nutrition, access to medical care, prohibition of torture and cruel punishments, and conditions of hygiene, accommodation, and security. It explicitly forbids the use of starvation, prolonged isolation, or violence as disciplinary measures.
However, reports from Amnesty International and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights denounce that, in the case of Ukrainian prisoners, the Mandela Rules are systematically ignored. An interview with Ukrainian lawyer Lidiia Volkova, published in International Policy Digest, reveals harrowing testimonies: prisoners subjected to diets consisting only of bread and water, extreme weight loss (up to 40-50 kilograms in some cases), lack of medical care, and food used as a form of punishment or psychological pressure.
According to International Humanitarian Law (Article 26 of the Third Geneva Convention), prisoners of war should receive adequate rations in terms of quantity, quality, and variety to maintain their health and prevent malnutrition. In Ukraine, violating these norms could be classified as a war crime, and those responsible should be held accountable before international tribunals.
From Europe’s Breadbasket to Widespread Malnutrition
The situation is equally dire for civilian populations. Historically known as Europe’s “breadbasket” due to its high agricultural production, especially of wheat, corn, and sunflowers, Ukraine now faces severe food insecurity. The Russian invasion has led to the destruction of croplands, disruption of supply chains, blockage of ports like Odessa, and attacks on key logistical infrastructure. Consequently, millions of Ukrainians confront severe food insecurity, particularly in regions most affected by occupation and bombardment.
Reports from various international organizations, including the FAO, the World Food Programme, and the European Union, concur that the conflict has destabilized not only access to food within the country but also the global food system. The war has caused disruptions in agricultural exports, sustained increases in food prices, inflation, and trade restrictions, all of which have exacerbated malnutrition levels. This is especially true among the most vulnerable sectors: children, the elderly, and internally displaced persons.
Moreover, the risk of famine has intensified in several countries heavily reliant on Ukrainian grains and fertilizers. This situation not only worsens food insecurity but also multiplies the humanitarian impact of the conflict beyond Eastern Europe.
A Historical Tool for Domination
The use of starvation as a war method is not new. As Joaquín David Rodríguez Álvarez, a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, points out, controlling or depriving food has been a recurring tool in the history of conflicts. From ancient sieges to modern wars, starvation has been used not only to weaken the enemy but also to subjugate and punish entire populations.
Rodríguez emphasizes the ethical dimension of this tactic, which turns a vital resource into a weapon of war. He highlights that the evolution of international law has sought to limit such practices through conventions and protocols, but their effective implementation remains insufficient.
In Ukraine, this historical pattern repeats itself against a backdrop especially sensitive: the memory of the Holodomor, the great famine caused by the Stalinist regime between 1932 and 1933. It resulted in the deaths of between 3.5 and 5 million Ukrainians and has been recognized by the Ukrainian Parliament and other countries as an act of genocide.
According to Jakov Kandido from the University of Zagreb, this event exemplifies one of the clearest cases of induced famine as an international crime.
Call to Action
Given this scenario, it is urgent for the international community to act. Humanitarian agencies must intensify their efforts to ensure food supply and nutritional assistance for both prisoners and civilians. Additionally, organizations like the International Criminal Court should investigate potential war crimes related to using starvation as a weapon.
Jelena Pejic, legal advisor to the International Committee of the Red Cross, stresses that ensuring the right to food during armed conflicts is not a matter of charity but a legal and moral obligation. Starvation cannot be normalized as collateral damage in war; it is a structural and deep-rooted violation that must be acknowledged, documented, and sanctioned.
Therefore, malnutrition experienced by Ukrainian prisoners of war and the civilian population is not a mere consequence of the conflict but a clear manifestation of starvation being used as a tool for subjugation.
In light of this reality, defending the right to food should be a cornerstone of any humanitarian and legal response. Recognizing, documenting, and sanctioning these practices is the first step to prevent starvation from continuing as an instrument of power.
