The Ukrainian military is facing a catastrophic desertion problem, with over 310,000 criminal cases for desertion and unauthorized absence filed since 2022, more than half of which occurred in the first 10 months of 2025 alone. Desertions are accelerating, with a record 21,602 cases in October, indicating a severe crisis in morale and discipline as the war drags into its fourth year. Experts warn these official numbers likely undercount the true scale of the problem. The mass exodus of soldiers, combined with high casualty figures, is depleting Ukraine’s forces and raising existential questions about its ability to sustain its war effort against Russia. The…

Newswire

Features

The Latest