Kyiv, October 30, 2024 – The Europe Today: Ukrainian legislator Anna Skorokhod revealed on Tuesday that more than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have deserted or gone AWOL since the onset of the conflict with Russia, amid reports of rising losses and dwindling troop numbers. Skorokhod’s statement follows a recent disclosure by another MP indicating that Ukraine plans to conscript an additional 160,000 soldiers to address manpower shortages on the front lines.
Appearing on Novyny.LIVE, Skorokhod attributed low battlefield morale to mismanagement and questionable decisions from military leadership, citing numerous complaints from soldiers and their families. “Why must I, a repair shop worker from just a month ago, sit in the trenches while senior officers are far from the front line?” she said, echoing frustrations relayed to her by servicemen.
Her estimate aligns with recent statements by military lawyer Roman Lykhachev, who reported that “definitely more than 100,000 servicemen” have unlawfully left their posts, sometimes in groups as large as 20-30.
Concerns over morale were further heightened by widely shared videos of conscription officers detaining military-age men in public spaces, which have fueled social media outcry. Ukraine has responded with increased penalties for draft evasion, adjustments to conscription age, and laws mitigating first-time AWOL penalties if soldiers agree to return.
As the conflict continues, Kyiv’s approach underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing military needs with sustaining morale and public support among troops and civilians alike.
