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ConflictsUkraine

As Russia advances, soldiers desert Ukraine's front lines

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Max Zander in Kramatorsk, Ukraine
June 21, 2026

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted the military. They cite exhaustion, depression and the sometimes violent methods used to enlist new recruits to serve on the front.

Four years into the war in Ukraine, the military faces a growing recruitment crisis. Around 200,000 soldiers have reportedly left their units without authorization, citing exhaustion, unclear service timelines and mistrust in leadership. Frontline fighters and former troops describe low morale and controversial mobilization tactics. As casualties mount and replacements lag behind, Ukraine struggles to sustain its armed forces against Russia.

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