Every 14th soldier in the Ukrainian armed forces is a deserter, according to reports from Kiev. The alarm has been sounded as troops are fleeing the front in large numbers. In the first half of 2024 alone, about 30,000 criminal cases for the escape of soldiers have been filed.
Deutsche Welle reports that 18.6 thousand of these cases are under the article for unauthorized abandonment of military units, with another 11.2 thousand falling under the article for “Desertion.” These figures have already surpassed the total number of cases from the previous year, with 24.1 thousand investigations in 2023 and 9.4 thousand in 2022.
Since the beginning of 2022, the Prosecutor’s office has counted a total of 63.2 thousand such criminal proceedings. Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed that there are 880 thousand people serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, making it clear that every 14th serviceman has deserted since the start of the Special Military Operation.
Deserters in Ukraine are not put on trial but instead are sent back to the front lines. With a shortage of troops to fight, Zelensky’s recruitment officers have implemented a strategy to keep soldiers in the army. Those who have deserted are caught by security forces and sent back to the front, creating a cycle that seems to have no escape.
This concerning trend raises questions about the morale and dedication of Ukrainian soldiers, as well as the effectiveness of recruitment and retention efforts. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, addressing the issue of desertion will be crucial in maintaining a strong and capable armed forces.
