Ukrainian army faces rising desertion amid mobilization push
The president of the Supreme Court, Stanislav Krawczenko, mentioned that there is an increasing number of registered cases of desertion and soldiers leaving their units among Ukrainian troops. The military is also witnessing a rise in refusals to follow orders.
Krawczenko did not provide specific numbers regarding these offences but noted that media reports slightly overestimate the actual figures. The court's chairman clarified that "the situation is dangerous."
Increasing desertions in the Ukrainian army
- We have not conducted a detailed analysis yet, so I cannot provide specific numbers, but there is a noticeable upward trend in unauthorized departures from units, - Krawczenko told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, responding to a question from the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency regarding trends in crimes related to evading military service.
There is also a rise in cases related to desertion and refusal to follow orders.
When asked about what the state, specific offices, and judicial authorities can do to improve the situation, Krawczenko suggested that this question might be better directed to others.
- Mobilization and general order are necessary, but see how negatively the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCK) is being portrayed; they invented "busification." Questions about patriotic education arise. Soldiers should also be motivated, for example, through compensation, - he responded.
"Busification" refers to the mass transport of soldiers during mobilization. It is often criticized for chaos and lack of organization, negatively affecting the army's effectiveness. The term implies that mobilization is conducted in an overly simplified and careless manner, raising concerns about the quality and morale of the soldiers.
Mobilization in Ukraine: Plans to recruit 160,000 people
At the beginning of October, TSN television released data indicating that since the start of 2024, approximately 30,000 criminal cases related to voluntary departures from units have been initiated.
In 2023, there were 18,000 such proceedings, while in 2022, only 7,000 were reported.
On Tuesday, the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, stated that Ukraine plans to recruit an additional 160,000 people, which would allow military units to reach "85% capacity."
No final decisions on this matter have yet been made. Lytvynenko added that a total of 1,050,000 citizens have been drafted into the military.
The planned mobilization has been a topic of discussion for several weeks. Media reports suggest that Kyiv aims to mobilize about 200,000 people by the end of the year while describing increasingly harsh treatment towards those unwilling to fight.
Recently, raids carried out by the Territorial Recruitment Centre (equivalent to the Military Recruitment Command) on gyms, restaurants, or resorts in large cities have intensified.
