Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sources from Mehr News Agency: The Americans have requested, through intermediaries from various countries, the continuation of negotiations with Iran
Mehr News Agency, citing sources: The Iranian Foreign Ministry is considering a US request to continue negotiations after they failed to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five martyrs and several wounded after the occupation targeted a group of civilians in Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City
Hamas: The comprehensive failure, military, political, and moral, exposes the falsehoods of the Zionist propaganda machine and reaffirms that our struggle is one of willpower and steadfastness
Hamas: Hamas: The slogans of "crushing defeat" and "total eradication" of the movement have collapsed in the face of explosive tunnels and the Resistance’s ambushes
Hamas: 640 days into the aggression, the occupation has utterly failed to break Gaza’s will or subdue its resistance
Iranian FM spokesperson denies Trump’s claims about Iran requesting a meeting with the US: We have made no such request to the American side
OHCHR: We have concerns that Nasser's arrest is part of efforts to eliminate legitimate forms of Palestinian expression
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Six killed or injured in Israeli drone strike on displaced persons’ tents in Sanabel camp, al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Several injuries reported as a result of the drone strike on the displaced persons' tent in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis

Ukraine faces record military desertions amid forced mobilization

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New websites + agencies
  • 30 May 2025 14:29
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Ukraine’s military desertion cases have surged in 2025, reflecting troop fatigue, forced mobilization, and inconsistent punishment.

Listen
  • x
  • Ukraine
    In this photo provided by Ukraine's 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence press service, a soldier readies to fire against Russian drone attacks near Kharkov, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2025 (Ukraine's 127th Separate Brigade via AP)

Ukraine’s military is witnessing a sharp and unprecedented rise in desertion cases, with 25,508 incidents recorded in the first five months of 2025 alone, according to data from Ukraine’s Unified State Register of Court Decisions.

If the current trend continues, the number of desertions could reach an estimated 61,000 by the end of the year.

In April 2025 alone, 6,245 soldiers deserted, marking a steep increase from 4,992 in January.

By comparison, 2024 saw 35,750 recorded desertions, nearly triple the 12,563 cases reported in 2023.

Read more: Ukraine offers Gen Z money to fight amid manpower shortage: WSJ

Inconsistent penalties, legal loopholes undermine discipline

The rise in Ukraine's military desertions highlights an erosion of military discipline, compounded by legal inconsistencies.

The Pravda news website noted that while some soldiers face up to five years in prison, others return to active duty through legal loopholes or lenient judicial interpretations.

Analysts point to the pressures of forced mobilization and prolonged conflict as major contributors to the rise in desertion cases.

Ukrainian authorities have reportedly opted to turn a blind eye to discipline to avoid further reducing their fighting force, a trade-off that comes at the expense of unit cohesion and morale.

Related News

Putin, Macron discuss Iran, Ukraine crisis in first call since 2022

Putin-Trump meeting in Istanbul requires mutual consent: Kremlin

What the surge in Ukraine's military desertions reveals

The sharp uptick in desertions reflects Ukraine’s mounting challenge to sustain its military strength amid ongoing mobilization and battlefield fatigue.

As the war grinds on, Kiev faces a difficult balancing act between enforcing discipline and maintaining adequate troop numbers, a dilemma that could have long-term consequences for both military effectiveness and public trust.

Read more: Ukraine’s drone war accelerates AI weapons race: FT

3,000+ Ukrainian soldiers eliminated over past week

In a related context, the Russian Defense Minister said Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of forces has eliminated more than 3,060 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week.

"The enemy's losses amounted to over 3,060 servicepeople, a tank, 39 armored fighting vehicles, including an M113 armored personnel carrier and a US-made MaxxPro armored vehicle manufactured. 57 vehicles and nine field artillery guns were destroyed," the Ministry said in a statement.

It highlighted that the Zapad (West) group of forces has eliminated over 1,495 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Russia's Yug (South) group of forces has eliminated over 1,615 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day.

In addition, the Ministry said the Sever (North) group of troops eliminated over 1,490 soldiers in the past day, while the Vostok (East) group has eliminated more than 1,265 Ukrainian soldiers.

Read more: Russian air defenses intercept 6 Ukrainian drones heading to Moscow

1,439 Ukrainian drones downed

Moreover, the Russian air defense took down 1,439 Ukrainian drones, including 907 outside the special operation zone, the statement confirmed.

Russian forces control Kondrashovka settlement in Kharkov

The Russian Defense Ministry also announced that Moscow's forces have taken control of the settlement of Kondrashovka (Kindrashivka) in the Kharkov region.

"As a result of decisive actions by units of the Zapad [West] group of troops, the settlements of Stroyevka [Stroivka] and Kondrashovka in the Kharkov region have been liberated," the Ministry stated.

Read more: Russian advance intensifies in Donbass as Sumy tensions rise

  • Ukraine crisis
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Ukraine war
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS