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In recent years, desertion and going AWOL have become significant issues amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. With more than 310,000 desertion cases reported in 2025 and increasing concerns about military personnel leaving service prematurely, authorities are cracking down on duck-out schemes. High-profile cases have revealed servicemen helping to smuggle soldiers across borders, while former military officers have been sentenced for betraying their country. The Prosecutor General's Office reports schemes charging up to $15,000 for facilitating desertion. Such activities have severe legal implications, emphasizing the necessity for strict measures. Desertion has also affected Russian troops, with growing numbers refusing to obey orders, further straining military cohesion. Authorities in both Ukraine and Russia are vigilant, aiming to mitigate the detrimental impact desertion has on their forces and national security.
What is the significance of the desertion issue in Ukraine?
The desertion issue in Ukraine poses a major challenge to its military operations and national security. With over 310,000 cases reported in 2025 alone, the problem underscores significant morale and loyalty issues within the forces. Such actions disrupt unit cohesion, affect military readiness, and compromise operational effectiveness. Furthermore, desertion schemes facilitated by organized groups undermine legal and ethical standards, necessitating stringent measures to curb them.
How are authorities dealing with desertion-related crimes?
Authorities are actively cracking down on desertion-related crimes through investigations and prosecutions. Notable examples include the State Bureau of Investigation exposing organized groups that offered duck-out services for money. Legal consequences for individuals involved range from criminal charges to life imprisonment for severe breaches, such as espionage and passing sensitive information to enemy forces. Both Ukrainian and Russian authorities are implementing strategies to minimize occurrences and hold offenders accountable.
What are the legal consequences for desertion in Ukraine?
Legal consequences for desertion in Ukraine are severe. Individuals caught can face criminal charges that may result in extensive prison sentences, particularly if their actions involve betrayal or put national security at risk. The legal framework is designed to deter such acts and preserve the integrity of military service. Amendments to legislation have been considered to offer potential exemptions, encouraging voluntary returns and reducing legal penalties for first-time offenses to reintegrate personnel into service.
How does desertion affect military operations in Russia?
Desertion significantly affects Russian military operations, leading to disciplinary challenges and weakening of forces. Reports of troops refusing orders or fleeing sectors destabilize command structures and affect operational effectiveness. The Russian forces have reportedly resorted to using severe measures, including shooting deserters, reflecting low morale and indiscipline within ranks. Such occurrences illustrate internal challenges, complicating military engagements and overall strategic objectives.
What measures are in place to prevent and address desertion?
Measures to prevent and address desertion include legal, administrative, and strategic initiatives to uphold military discipline and loyalty. Ukraine has implemented reforms to encourage voluntary return for first-time deserters, maintaining social guarantees while ensuring accountability. Authorities engage in proactive monitoring and intelligence efforts to detect and dismantle desertion networks. Furthermore, the introduction of rehabilitation programs for returning personnel aims to reintegrate them without compromising legal and military standards.
Has the issue of desertion affected international military cooperation?
Desertion has affected international military cooperation to some extent. For instance, the reported cases among Ukrainian troops participating in training abroad are seen as marginal incidents and do not currently pose a significant impact. However, it highlights the importance of addressing underlying issues to maintain trust and cooperation with international partners. Ensuring robust legal frameworks and ethical standards across military ranks is crucial for the seamless functioning of international collaborations and achieving collective security goals.
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Large-scale desertion scheme exposed in four Ukrainian regions: organizers charged up to $15,000 – SBI. PHOTO Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), together with the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, exposed an organized group that helped mobilized service members to leave their places of service without authorization in exchange for money. The scheme operated... 3 063 13 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization AWOL in AFU
Deserter who went AWOL and directed Russian strikes on Dnipro has been exposed, - SSU. PHOTO Military counterintelligence and investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have exposed yet another FSB agent within the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 3 500 37 Previously in trend: spying in favor of Russia
Desertion scheme uncovered in Dnipro: suspects include former military unit commander and lawyer. PHOTOS Under the procedural guidance of the Dnipro Specialised Prosecutor's Office for the Eastern Region, eight individuals have been notified of their suspicion of organising a scheme to facilitate the desertion of military personnel. 1 901 10
Ex-officer from Lviv region gets life sentence for betraying Ukraine: fled to Moscow and leaked data on Ukraine’s Armed Forces equipment – SBI A former officer from the Lviv region who, while on leave abroad, fled to Russia and passed information to the occupiers about his unit’s military equipment and the deployment of its personnel has been sentenced to life imprisonment. 10 817 106 Previously in trend: High treason
Stole car at training ground and fired at police officers: deserter detained in Rivne region, - National Police. PHOTOS The 49-year-old suspect left the military unit without permission, stole a car from the training ground and went into hiding from the investigation. During a search, police seized prohibited items and substances. 8 014 72 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
Prosecutor General’s Office explained disappearance of data on AWOL and desertion from statistics The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that data on AWOLs and desertions had been deliberately removed from the statistics — the information was restricted due to the risks of its use by Russia in information operations and possible damage to national security. 2 833 9 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
Number of AWOL and desertion proceedings surged in 2025 – Prosecutor General’s Office. DOCUMENT Since the start of the full-scale invasion, law enforcement officers have registered more than 310,000 criminal cases of AWOL and desertion. Most of which occurred within the first ten months of 2025. 3 516 19 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
Over 21,600 soldiers went AWOL from army in October – Ihor Lutsenko According to official data, more than 21,000 military personnel left the service without permission in October. 26 495 220 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
Deserter set up illegal channel to smuggle soldiers abroad in Zaporizhzhia – SBI. PHOTOS In Zaporizhzhia, officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), exposed a serviceman who went AWOL and later organized an illegal channel to smuggle other soldiers abroad. 2 523 6 Previously in trend: Illegal border crossing
Nearly 290,000 AWOL and desertion cases opened during full-scale war – Prosecutor General’s Office. INFOGRAPHICS From January 2022 to September 2025, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies opened nearly 290,000 criminal proceedings for absence without leave (AWOL) and desertion. 8 247 126 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
"Sit down, sit down, f#ck!" – occupiers beat their own for desertion during combat. VIDEO Russian troops beat their comrade for abandoning his combat position and "leaving his own behind." 10 440 38 Previously in trend: Desertion in the army
Organisers of turnkey scheme for desertion and escape abroad detained in Dnipro, - SBI. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Law enforcers detained the organisers of a scheme that helped military personnel leave the service and go to Europe, including a defendant in the case of fictitious service of a deputy from the Dnipropetrovsk region. 2 535 12 Previously in trend: Draft evaders smuggling across the border
Over 250,000 AWOL and desertion cases opened during war – Prosecutor’s Office Over the course of the war, more than 200,000 cases have been opened in Ukraine for AWOL, and over 50,000 for desertion. 4 689 60 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU
Yanukovych received second sentence in Ukrainian court: 15 years’ imprisonment for inciting military personnel of Department of State Protection of Ukraine to desertion, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTOS Following a public prosecution by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office, the fourth President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the former Deputy Head of the State Protection Department of Ukraine, the Head of the Presidential Security Service, were sentenced. 3 509 34
How to return after AWOL or deserting: SBI explains updated procedure As of 1 March 2025, an updated procedure has come into effect for servicemembers who have gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave). 3 765 8 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL
Group of soldiers who helped to desert for money was uncovered in Dnipropetrovsk region – National Police. VIDEO+PHOTOS In the Dnipropetrovsk region, police uncovered a group of servicemen who facilitated desertion from the Armed Forces. 3 515 5
Traitor serving in Crimea as commander of Russian S-400 missile system sentenced to 15 years - SBI. PHOTO The court passed a sentence on a former deputy commander of a battery of an anti-aircraft missile division of a military unit from Crimea, sentencing him to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property. 3 075 6
In Poland, cases of desertion of Ukrainian military from exercises are "marginal", it will not affect cooperation - Ministry of Defense There are cases of desertion among the 26,000 Ukrainian soldiers who are being trained in Poland, but they are "marginal." 3 595 4
Prosecutor’s Office: 4 thousand servicemen apply to return to service after AWOL Since the entry into force of the amendments to the legislation on the AWOL, almost 4 thousand servicemen have already filed relevant petitions. 3 266 22 Previously in trend: War
Servicemen who voluntarily return from AWOL by 1 January will be reinstated with all social guarantees - SBI Servicemen who voluntarily return to service before 1 January 2025 will be reinstated with all social guarantees. 3 618 30
Zelenskyy signs law on voluntary return to service after first AWOL or desertion President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 12095 on voluntary return to service for those who have gone AWOL from a military unit or deserted for the first time. 3 885 29
There is tendency to increase number of cases of AWOL - Supreme Court Chief Justice Kravchenko Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Stanislav Kravchenko notes a tendency to increase the number of registered cases of AWOL, desertion and failure to comply with orders. 16 687 192 Previously in trend: War
Since beginning of 2022, almost 60 thousand criminal proceedings on AWOL have been registered - Prosecutor General’s Office. INFOGRAPHICS The Prosecutor's Office has registered almost 60,000 criminal offenses for unauthorized abandonment of a unit (AWOL) and about 30,000 for desertion since January 2022. 3 601 14
Soldier of 56th SMIB Hnezdilov, who publicly went for AWOL, was informed of suspicion - lawyer Shadrin Serhiy Hnezdilov, a soldier of the 56th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade, who publicly reported on AWOL, was served with a suspicion of desertion. 6 297 31
SBI detained soldier of 56th SMIB Hnezdilov, who publicly went AWOL. PHOTO A soldier of the 56th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade, Serhii Hnezdilov, who publicly stated about AWOL, was detained. 19 019 117
Soldiers who left their units without permission for first time started returning to front instead of imprisonment - SBI Some detained servicemen who left the unit without permission for the first time and voluntarily decided to continue their service were released from custody. 5 602 34
Verkhovna Rada is working on bill on complete exemption from criminal liability for AWOL - "servant of people" Venislavskyi The parliament is currently working on a bill that provides for complete exemption from criminal liability if a person goes AWOL and voluntarily returns to the army. 14 094 72
Rada adopts draft law on easing liability for AWOL or desertion The Verkhovna Rada has adopted in the second reading a draft law that provides for the possibility of exempting military personnel from criminal liability for AWOL or desertion. 17 281 31 Previously in trend: War
Russians withdrew additional forces of Russian Guard to occupied territories of east to search for deserters - Center of National Resistance Due to the increase in cases of desertion from the front line, the occupiers increased the number of checkpoints in eastern Ukraine. 1 860 12
Rada adopts law in first reading providing for exemption from criminal liability for prolonged AWOL or desertion In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that provides for the possibility of exempting military personnel from criminal liability for prolonged absence without leave (prolonged AWOL) or desertion. 11 945 64 Previously in trend: War
Mobile groups of Russian military police have intensified their search for deserters in occupied territories Mobile groups of the military police of the Russian Ministry of Defence have become more active in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, searching for deserters. Recently, the number of deserters in the Russian army has been increasing. 811 1
An Armed Forces sergeant deserted and tricked prisoner’s wife out of 70,000 UAH, promising to release him from captivity. PHOTOS A soldier from Sumy region did not return to his military unit after treatment. He engaged in fraud: he deceived the wife of a prisoner of war and tricked her out of UAH 70 thousand for promises to release her husband from captivity. 10 275 19
Ukrainian Armed Forces: Russian occupants start to rebel and flee from trenches in Tavria direction The units of the Russian occupation forces in the Tavria direction do not want to attack, they are rebelling and fleeing from the trenches. 11 495 34 Previously in trend: War
More than 40 occupiers from 150 motorized rifle divisions were sent from Luhansk region to Russian Federation under convoy. They refused to participate in battles - General Staff In the occupying forces of the Russian Federation, there are numerous cases of servicemen refusing to carry out criminal orders and participate in hostilities. 6 473 14 Previously in trend: War
Occupiers beat those who refused to go into battle with sticks: "That’s it! You’re already "200th", f#ck!". VIDEO A video has been published online in which two occupiers are beaten with sticks by their colleagues. 26 290 104 Previously in trend: War
There is panic in ranks of occupiers, there are confirmed facts of increasing desertion, - Ministry of Defense Panic moods continue to spread among the personnel of the Russian occupation forces. 4 768 15
About 110 soldiers deserted from Russian army units overnight - General Staff Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff releases updated information on mass desertions in Russian army. 7 818 30 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Russian Guard in Zaporizhzhia region shot 6 Russian soldiers who expressed desire to surrender, - General Staff The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released information on the methods used by the occupants to combat desertion in their own troops. 10 918 30 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Number of desertions in Russian army is increasing, - General Staff The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published information on the increase in the number of desertions in the Russian army. 2 083 1 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Group of 21 Russian occupants deserted on November 30 in Donetsk region and was completely destroyed - General Staff Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff released information on facts of desertion in occupants’ army. 22 435 34 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Russian soldier from brigade accused of atrocities in Bucha fled to Spain and wants to testify about crimes of Russians The former serviceman of the armed forces of the Russian Federation declared his readiness to cooperate with the international investigation of the war crimes of the occupiers. 19 613 53 Previously in trend: War
Russia resumes practice of blocking squads and shooting deserters, - British intelligence Russia is probably resorting to the tactic of shooting at deserters, which shows the low morale and indiscipline of the Russian troops 5 812 17
Armed Russian convicts in ranks of Russian army regularly leave units and try to desert - General Staff AFU General Staff released information on cases of desertion by prisoners who were mobilized in Russia and sent to Ukraine. 8 562 47 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Mobilized residents of Donbas are deserting en masse from "army of DPR", - Kazansky. PHOTOS In occupied Donetsk, Rashists are posting announcements about the search for deserters who refused to fight in the "army of the DNR". 23 270 77 Previously in trend: War
Occupiers are afraid of HIMARS strikes and are fleeing from bases and warehouses in the Zaporizhia region According to Ukrainian intelligence, after the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit the military facilities of the occupiers with high-precision weapons in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region, panic began in the occupier's army. 14 060 29 Previously in trend: War
About 500 Russian troops refused to fight and returned to Kabardino-Balkaria. They were not brought to trial, but only fired Now they are trying to resume in court, calling their dismissal illegal. 11 375 12 Previously in trend: War
Four ‘DPR’ militants tried to desert and were killed by comrades, - Intelligence Four pro-Russian militants tried to abandon their positions and were shot by their own comrades from IFV weapons. 46 611 112 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas
Terrorist Girkin confirms mass desertion of "DPR" militants deployed at Avdiivka, - journalist Ex-leader of the so-called "DPR" Igor Strelkov aka Girkin reports about mass desertion of "DPR" militants from the 11th motorized rifle regiment involved in battles near Avdiivka. 180 631 209 Previously in trend: Avdiivka fighting
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