Analysts warn of mass desertions in Ukraine's Armed Forces
(Baonghean.vn) - Analysts warn that desertion is becoming increasingly serious in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The reason is that soldiers feel tired and exhausted, while training is taking place quickly, so they lack combat experience.
Mass desertions have been reported across all fronts in Ukraine, due to fatigue and high casualties, said South China Morning Post analyst Samid Basha.
“Reports of increased stress and worsening mental health issues have led to soldiers being reluctant to go into battle because they feel they have not had enough time to recover from injuries. Many soldiers have spent a year in the field, with many being pushed back to the front lines, leading to a spike in suicides in the military,” said analyst Samid Basha.
According to the expert, the problem has been identified since 2017, when 500 cases were reported from soldiers who have been fighting in Donbass for 3 years. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are struggling with a shortage of ammunition, due to inconsistent aid and different types of weapons coming from different countries.
This led to inefficient use of supplies due to inaccurate artillery shells and missiles, which could damage equipment and injure soldiers. As a result, morale in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which were already facing mass desertions, plummeted.
According to figures from Romania’s immigration authorities, 6,200 Ukrainian men of military age have crossed the border illegally, while about 20,000 have fled using special permits, often forged documents such as medical certificates or exemptions. Kiev has enacted strict laws to punish those who do not comply with military service, with up to 10 years in prison.
Analyst Samid Basha believes that the current Ukrainian Armed Forces, due to their limited training, are making unnecessary sacrifices. If the goal of the US and NATO is to help Ukraine sustain its defense needs, then the current method of combat training is nothing more than preparing Ukraine for the wrong war. And, ultimately, it could decide the fate of this Eastern European country.
Sharing the same view, former Pentagon advisor Colonel Douglas McGregor said that desertion is becoming more common in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as the counterattack fails.
“There are mass desertions. Large numbers of soldiers are surrendering along the entire border. Ukrainian soldiers are tired and exhausted,” Colonel Douglas McGregor told Ria Novosti.
The US colonel noted that the Ukrainian soldiers currently on the battlefield are the least trained and lack combat experience. Meanwhile, the Russian soldiers are fighting very wisely and are behaving decently, helping the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
