More and more Ukrainian soldiers deserting?

The Financial Times reported yesterday that the number of Ukrainian soldiers deserting this year is greater than the total of 2022-2023 when the conflict broke out.

Ukrainian men of military age are banned from leaving the country, but some have used their overseas training as an opportunity to desert.

Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front line

Ukrainian prosecutors have opened more than 60,000 cases involving deserters this year, nearly double the number in the previous two years. Those convicted can face up to 12 years in prison.

The newspaper quoted a soldier from the 123rd Ukrainian Brigade, deployed to Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast, as saying that the unit had not been rotated for rest, equipment repairs or resupply for nearly three years. The unit had to abandon its position when Russian troops advanced and took control of the city in October. The soldier said they were told there would be 150 tanks supporting Vuhledar, but only 20 arrived.

On the other hand, the Russian army has continuously announced its progress. Yesterday, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper reported that Russian forces had taken control of the Berestky settlement in Donetsk, while Moscow's offensive continued to penetrate deeper into Kharkiv province. In a related development, the new President of the European Council Antonio Costa and the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU) Kaja Kallas visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on their first day in office on December 1.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngay-cang-nhieu-binh-si-ukraine-dao-ngu-18524120121362546.htm