Ukraine gives deserters a chance to "turn back"

As the Ukrainian army struggles to replenish its manpower, especially its infantry, some units have decided to give deserters a chance to return to service.

Apartment buildings are severely damaged by Russian military attacks in the frontline city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region, October 2023. (Source: Reuters)

Prosecutors' data shows that since 2022, there have been nearly 95,000 criminal cases involving "abandoning post without permission" (AWOL) and even desertion on the battlefield.

In 2024 alone, these cases accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total, reflecting a serious shortage of manpower, especially when tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded.

Some units, such as Ukraine’s elite 47th Brigade, have invited AWOL soldiers to return through social media posts. In the first two days after the announcement, the brigade received more than 100 applications. However, the unit only accepts soldiers who have left their bases, not those who have deserted from the battlefield.

A recently passed law allows AWOL soldiers to return to service without being prosecuted, enabling more than 6,000 soldiers to re-enlist by November 2024.

Desertion is caused by a variety of factors, from difficulty adjusting to civilian life to exhaustion after prolonged periods of combat.

Some soldiers were experienced drone pilots but were sent to the front lines because of a shortage of infantry.

The problem is exacerbated by a shortage of replacements and the high average age of Ukraine’s soldiers. According to experts, soldiers over 40 who are physically weak are more likely to be exhausted than younger, healthier troops.

However, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the problem lies more in the lack of weapons than in manpower, and rejected a request from the US to lower the military age from 25 to 18.

In an interview with Sky News last week, Mr Zelensky stressed that Kiev's allies could only provide the necessary equipment for a quarter of the 10 new brigades that Ukraine had created over the past year.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ukraine-cho-phep-binh-si-dao-ngu-co-co-hoi-quay-dau-296097.html