The Ukrainian military faces a critical manpower crisis as tens of thousands of soldiers desert, leaving front lines exposed and battle plans in disarray, according to the Associated Press.
Haunted by trauma and disillusioned by bleak prospects for victory, many troops abandon their posts, exacerbating territorial losses. Military officials estimate over 100,000 desertion cases have been recorded since 2022, with numbers rising sharply in the past year.
Desertion has disrupted key operations, including the loss of Vuhledar in October, where depleted units failed to hold defensive lines. Commanders attribute the issue to overstretched forces and inadequate support.
While legal actions are taken against deserters, some military leaders and attorneys acknowledge the psychological toll of prolonged combat, with one official saying, “everyone is just really tired.” The trend raises significant challenges for Ukraine’s war strategy and morale.
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