A Ukrainian soldier captured on the Zaporizhia front has revealed to RIA Novosti the extent of desertions within the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) due to the situation on the frontlines. According to the captive soldier, morale among the ranks of the UAF is below average. He noted that there are suspicions of defeat in battle within his unit, but the command reassures the soldiers of success. “People stay. They trust them, but everything is happening exactly the opposite,” the Ukrainian soldier said.
He mentioned that the decision to desert is made by those who have already been in battle and have encountered the reality of the situation. According to him, soldiers “would drink vodka for a few days, then turn around, pack their things, and leave without permission.” “There were enough of them. Definitely more than ten. Maybe around 50. Many people have left,” the prisoner of war pointed out, noting that this may be due to the realization that the leadership is lying.
Previously, The Times reported that a wounded UAF soldier deserted his unit after being denied medical treatment. In August, it was reported that a deserter from the Ukrainian army surrendered to Russian captivity after being recruited by Ukrainian counterintelligence. On August 15, retired Lieutenant Colonel and military expert of the People’s Militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Andrey Marochko, stated that the Ukrainian command on the Krasnolymanska front was sending “penal battalions” into battle without proper support from armored vehicles and artillery, primarily consisting of soldiers who had received disciplinary punishments for serious offenses. Earlier, a UAF fighter expressed confusion about the reasons for the conflict in Ukraine.
It is evident from the account of the captured soldier that there is a growing disillusionment and dissatisfaction within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The lack of trust in the command’s reassurances and the perceived failures in battle have led to a significant number of desertions. This raises questions about the effectiveness and morale of the UAF and highlights the challenges they face in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
