"Soldiers' Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in War: 5 Surprising Instances"

Ukrainian soldiers have speculated whether Russian troops fighting for the Wagner Group in Bakhmut are on drugs, although there is no evidence to support this. The use of performance-enhancing drugs among soldiers has been prevalent since at least World War I, with examples including British stores selling heroin kits during the war, the Nazis giving meth to their soldiers during World War II, and the US military distributing speed and painkillers to troops during the Vietnam War. The Russian military relied on alcohol during World War II, while the US military allows Native American troops to use peyote for religious purposes.