18,000 Russian soldiers desert, highlighting the crisis of morale in the ranks
As many as 18,000 Russian soldiers were reported to have deserted the military during the war in Ukraine. Many of these individuals are conscripts mobilized at the onset of the conflict. Ukrainian media suggest that low morale could be the reason for this.
10:19 AM EDT, April 29, 2024
Russian Southern Military District soldiers stationed in Ukraine are increasingly abandoning their posts, reports "Kyiv Independent," citing the Ukrainian military intelligence agency.
Observers note that the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine face persistent low morale issues. According to Ukrainian media, of the 18,000 soldiers from the Southern Military District deserting, about 12,000 are from the 8th Combined Army – a unit often engaged in military operations in eastern Ukraine.
The breakdown of those leaving the ranks reportedly includes 10,000 mobilized conscripts and 2,000 contract soldiers.