Ukraine’s President Admits to Desertion Crisis in the Military
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged a surge in desertions within the Ukrainian military, citing growing war fatigue and a lack of reserve forces. In a recent television interview, Zelensky admitted that the number of desertions had increased, but claimed the trend has since slowed down.
The crisis has been building over the past year, with reports of soldiers leaving their posts without permission, particularly as Russian forces intensified their push in the Donbas region. According to the Associated Press, around 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers were formally charged with desertion in November, with some estimates suggesting the actual number could be double that.
Zelensky attributed the desertions to a combination of factors, including the long duration of the war and a shortage of reserve forces. “A long war is a long war. Our people are holding on, but people everywhere are getting tired” he said.
The Financial Times reported that one of the main reasons for the high desertion rate is a lack of rotation, with some soldiers viewing desertion as the only way to find relief.
In an effort to address the issue, the government has decriminalized first-time desertion offenses for soldiers who return to duty by January 1, 2025.
The problem is further complicated by Ukraine’s challenging conscription campaign. In the early year, Kiev lowered the mobilization age to 25 and increased penalties for draft evasion. Social media has been filled with videos of aggressive attempts by conscription officials to induct men into the military, prompting fierce reactions.
The United States, Ukraine’s largest military backer, has urged Kiev to lower the mobilization age to 18. Ukrainian media and some Russian diplomats have speculated that Zelensky may use this measure as a potential negotiating tool.