Number of Ukrainian Soldiers Accused of Abandoning Positions Soars
By Ellie Cook Security & Defense Reporter
The number of Ukrainian soldiers deserting their positions has soared in 2024, according to a new report, as Kyiv contends with persistent Russian advances and uncertainty over what the new year will hold for its war effort.
More Ukrainian soldiers deserted between January and the end of October this year than in the previous two years of full-scale war with Russia, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Kyiv prosecutors opened 60,000 cases against soldiers for leaving their positions between the start of the year and October, according to the report, totaling nearly twice the number in 2022 and 2023 combined.
Over 100,000 soldiers have been charged for desertion since February 2022, The Associated Press reported late last month, citing Ukraine's prosecutor general's office. Newsweek has reached out to the Ukrainian military for comment via email.
By Ellie Cook Security & Defense Reporter
The number of Ukrainian soldiers deserting their positions has soared in 2024, according to a new report, as Kyiv contends with persistent Russian advances and uncertainty over what the new year will hold for its war effort.
More Ukrainian soldiers deserted between January and the end of October this year than in the previous two years of full-scale war with Russia, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Kyiv prosecutors opened 60,000 cases against soldiers for leaving their positions between the start of the year and October, according to the report, totaling nearly twice the number in 2022 and 2023 combined.
Over 100,000 soldiers have been charged for desertion since February 2022, The Associated Press reported late last month, citing Ukraine's prosecutor general's office. Newsweek has reached out to the Ukrainian military for comment via email.
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