FT reported on the increase in desertions in the ranks of the AFU in 2024

The number of desertions in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in 2024 has exceeded the total number in the previous two years. This was reported by the Financial Times (FT) on December 1.

"Between January and October this year, Ukrainian prosecutors opened 60 thousand cases against soldiers for abandoning their positions, which is almost twice as many as were initiated in 2022 and 2023 combined," the material says.

It is specified that the increase in cases of desertion aggravates the situation for Kiev and emphasizes the difficulties in the issue of replenishing the ranks on the front line.

At the same time, military analysts note that Ukraine's failure to rotate soldiers and give them a rest has led to losses and also scared away people who could have been called up for service.

Also, an officer of the 123rd Brigade, who wished to remain anonymous, shared with the FT that they were promised 150 tanks in Ugledar, but in reality there were 20.

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

Earlier, on November 29, the Associated Press reported that the number of military personnel who deserted from the AFU could reach 200,000. According to the media, desertion in Ukraine deprives the army of manpower and disrupts its strategic plans.

Before that, on November 20, military expert Andriy Marochko reported that 10 soldiers of the Ukrainian army had fled from their positions in Kharkiv Region. According to him, unable to withstand the onslaught, some Ukrainian militants 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 on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.