Ukraine's French training brigade disbanded due to mass desertions

(CLO) Ukraine's 155th Mechanized Brigade, once expected to become one of the strongest forces thanks to training in France and equipment of advanced weapons from the West, has completely disintegrated when more than 1,700 soldiers deserted without participating in any battles.

Created with the aim of leading operations against Russia, the 155th Brigade has received significant support from the West. Weapons such as German Leopard 2 tanks and French Caesar self-propelled guns are being supplied as part of a $900 billion project announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in June 2024.

However, the deployment of the brigade has been plagued by major setbacks. Of the 5,800 soldiers expected, only 1,924 are combat-ready. Hundreds of soldiers have gone missing during their training in France, taking advantage of the opportunity to flee to the EU. Hundreds more at home have been unable to mobilize or have abandoned their posts between October and November 2024.

This situation raises deep concerns about the strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) as the war with Russia continues.

Soldiers of the 155th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine. Photo: Facebook/155ombr

Deployed in Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in Donetsk, the 155th Brigade faces a serious shortage of equipment. The unit is not supplied with enough drones and electronic warfare systems, making its armored vehicles easy targets for Russian drone attacks and guided bombs.

The Ukrainian High Command reported that in just one day, Russian forces carried out more than 100 attacks on Pokrovsk's defenses. Under heavy pressure, the brigade could not hold out, leading to mass desertions, which severely affected the already tense manpower situation of the AFU.

Other Ukrainian units are also facing a shortage of soldiers. Kiev's recruitment system has struggled to attract new recruits, with many military- age men refusing to join the fight. Some reports suggest that "recruitment gangs" are even picking people up off the streets to send them to the front lines, leading to protests from soldiers' families.

Meanwhile, the Russian air force continues to dominate with more than 350 warplanes. The old-style FAB guided bombs, modified with wings and GPS, are causing heavy damage to Ukrainian defense positions. Each bomb weighs up to 1,000 kg, 20 times the destructive power of Ukraine’s domestically produced drones, and Ukraine is almost unable to intercept them.

President Zelenskyy acknowledged the persistent fatigue in the military, especially when many soldiers have been fighting without rest for months. He introduced new measures to tackle desertion, including easing penalties for soldiers who return to duty and stepping up the hunt for and punishing those who continue to defect.

The 155th Brigade has now been disbanded, with its remaining members reassigned to other units. However, its demise is a clear sign of the difficulties Ukraine faces in defending its territory against growing pressure from Russia.

Hoai Phuong (according to bne IntelliNews, Kyiv Independent, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/soc-lu-doan-vua-huan-luyen-tai-phap-cua-ukraine-da-tan-ra-do-dao-ngu-hang-loat-post329349.html