Facing a grinding war of attrition with Russia, Ukraine’s military is grappling with a surge in desertions among its ranks. Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of soldiers have gone AWOL since the conflict began in 2022, with the problem escalating sharply in the past year. Exhausted troops, disillusioned by extended service without clear timelines, have described their psychological and physical limits being stretched to breaking points. The phenomenon has raised alarms over the military's ability to sustain operations in critical areas.
Desertion has had dire consequences on the battlefield. Entire units abandoning their positions have compromised defensive lines, leaving vulnerable gaps for Russian forces to exploit. A stark example occurred in October 2024, when the strategic hilltop town of Vuhledar fell after under-strength Ukrainian units were unable to hold their ground. Some companies reported as few as ten active personnel out of the standard 120, with desertion accounting for nearly 20% of the shortfall in some cases.
The Ukrainian government and military have attempted to address the issue through persuasion rather than strict punishment. Many soldiers are offered psychological support and second chances to return to their posts without immediate prosecution. Yet, the challenges persist, as deserters frequently cite deep trauma, feelings of futility, and disillusionment with the war’s leadership. Military commanders admit that morale and manpower are stretched to their limits, leaving them struggling to maintain their forces on the frontlines.
Observers note that the desertion crisis underscores deeper problems within Ukraine’s mobilization strategy. Critics point to the failure of aggressive recruitment drives and poor management of troops, especially infantry. The lack of clear demobilization timelines has led many soldiers to feel trapped in indefinite service, likened by some to a psychological prison. With the war showing no signs of abating, the country faces a precarious balancing act between enforcing discipline and addressing the grievances of its forces.
While the Ukrainian government focuses on retaining its current soldiers, the broader issue of war fatigue looms large. As commanders scramble to plug gaps in their lines, the toll on individual soldiers highlights the human cost of prolonged warfare. For many, the battle is no longer just against an external enemy but also against their own endurance, raising urgent questions about the sustainability of Ukraine’s military efforts.
