Ukrainian army desertions rise amid tense mobilization plans
The President of the Supreme Court, Stanisław Krawczenko, has reported an increase in registered cases of soldiers leaving their units and deserting within the Ukrainian military. Additionally, there is a growing trend of military personnel refusing to follow orders.
8:12 PM EDT, October 29, 2024
Krawczenko did not provide specific figures related to these offenses but noted that media reports slightly exaggerate the actual numbers. He further clarified that "the situation is dangerous."
Increase in desertions within the Ukrainian army
- We have not yet analyzed this issue in detail, so I cannot provide precise numbers, but there is a notable upward trend in unauthorized departures from units, - Krawczenko told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, responding to a question from the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency about crime trends related to evading military service.
Cases of desertion and the refusal to follow orders are also on the rise.
In response to questions about how the government, specific offices, and judicial authorities can address the situation, Krawczenko remarked that someone else might be better suited to answer.
- Mobilization and general order are necessary, but consider the negative portrayal of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCK) and their invention of "busification." Questions arise regarding patriotic education. Soldiers need motivation, possibly through compensation, - he replied.
"Busification" refers to the mass transportation of soldiers during mobilization, often criticized for its chaos and lack of organization, negatively affecting the army's effectiveness. The term implies that mobilization is executed in an overly simplified and irresponsible manner, causing 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 published data showing that since the start of 2024, approximately 30,000 criminal cases were initiated concerning voluntary departures from units.
In contrast, 18,000 such proceedings were started in 2023, with only 7,000 in 2022.
As reported on Tuesday by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Ukraine plans to recruit an additional 160,000 people to bring military units to "85% capacity."
No final decisions have been made on this matter yet, but Lytvynenko added that, in total, 1,050,000 citizens have been drafted into the military.
The planned mobilization has been a topic of discussion for several weeks. Media reports indicate that Kyiv aims to mobilize about 200,000 people by the end of the year, describing increasingly harsh treatment of those unwilling to enlist.
Recently, there has been an escalation in efforts by the Territorial Recruitment Center, comparable to the Military Recruitment Command, which has conducted raids in gyms, restaurants, and resorts in major cities.
