What Do Vegan, Vegetarian Ukrainian Soldiers Eat On The Battlefield?

Ukraine reportedly still has no government-level system to address the food needs of its vegan fighters, but a petition currently gaining traction is seeking to change that.

Vegans on Ukraine's front line can currently ask for supplies from Every Animal, a non-governmental organization that promotes veganism and the animal rights movement, according to the Media Center Ukraine civic initiative.

The foundation, which has volunteer kitchens in seven Ukrainian cities, reportedly sends items such as pate, vegan sausages, hummus and soya milk to soldiers all for free.

"There are many vegans in the army, and some of them want to stay vegan no matter what, and we want to be their support as much as it is possible," Tamara Human, Every Animal's founder, said in an interview with AFP

"There is no contradiction to be vegan and serve in the army... when you go to the army, you want to save people," the former model claimed.

Special menus are not available for Ukrainian soldiers attempting to adhere to a plant-based diet, according to Arab News.

Ukraine also reportedly has no government-level system to deal with the food needs of its vegan servicemembers.

"The packages we send them allow the soldiers to supplement for two or three weeks what they receive from the army so that they have a balanced diet," Human said.

Every Animal has reportedly provided 3,000 free vegan meals and sent 250 parcels with vegan products to 250 soldiers at the time of Human's interview.

A petition submitted before the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now asking for Ukraine's Armed Forces to introduce vegan and vegetarian dry rations.

These additional rations will be for people who do not consume meat products and products of animal origin, people with bodies that have a limited ability to absorb lactose and people who have periodic digestive problems, among others, petitioners said.

The introduction of the rations "will bring the Armed Forces closer to high standards and attract the attention of potential recruits," they added.

It will also "preserve and restore the lost health of military personnel, which in turn will bring the country closer to victory."

The petition has gathered 9,696 votes as of press time. It needs 25,000 votes to be considered by Zelensky's office.