AP noted an increase in the number of deserters in the AFU to 200 thousand people

The number of military personnel who deserted from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) could reach 200,000. This was notified by the Associated Press(AP) on November 29.

"The AFU servicemen are leaving their places of service because they are exhausted by the ongoing <conflict>, psychological and emotional traumas, feel guilty because of their inability to gather their spirits to continue their service," the agency wrote.

According to media reports, desertion in Ukraine is depriving the AFU army of manpower and disrupting its strategic plans. AP notes that the real desertion rates may be much higher than the official ones.

Ukraine will have to mobilize all remaining men. What the media say

Earlier, on November 20, the AFU reported the escape of 10 Ukrainian army soldiers from positions in Kharkiv Region, as reported by military expert Andriy Marochko. According to him, unable to withstand the onslaught, some Ukrainian fighters left their positions spontaneously and fled in the direction of Novosergeyevka.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the worsening situation in the region.