Many Russian Troops Lacking Decent Food

Thousands of Russian soldiers are badly underweight and some even are suffering from malnutrition because of a lack of decent food, a newspaper reported Monday.

More than 3,000 servicemen in one division - the Interior Ministry’s Special Task Division stationed near Moscow - are considered underweight, the daily Moskovsky Komsomolets said.

The Russian military is so short of money that many servicemen receive less than half the daily calories they need, the report said, citing statistics from the military prosecutor’s office.

“Soldiers in most units haven’t seen fresh meat, milk or eggs since summer and mostly subside on canned food,” the newspaper said. “Even bread is becoming a luxury, as many units live on emergency rations.”

The military received only half of the funds allotted for food in 1996.