As the Ukrainian military faces significant casualties and morale challenges, desertions and insubordination are on the rise among troops, particularly in critical areas like Pokrovsk.
Commanders and soldiers at the forefront depict a force under immense strain due to continuous Russian advancements over the past two and a half years. Many soldiers find it difficult to confront the enemy's superior firepower and cope with the diminishing reinforcements.
Diman, a battalion commander who once led 800 soldiers in fierce combat, now finds himself outside a Kyiv office, chain-smoking and reflecting on the toll the war has taken. With most of his men dead or seriously wounded, Diman decided he couldn’t bear it any longer, opting for a desk job rather than watching more of his soldiers fall. “I just couldn’t handle watching my men die anymore,” he told CNN.
The situation is dire along the eastern front, where Ukrainian forces are trying to hold off Russia’s creeping advances, but with limited resources and mounting casualties, some units are in disarray. Six commanders and officers in the area told CNN that desertions and disobedience are on the rise, particularly among newer recruits. One commander noted that many who were recently mobilized under Ukraine’s new conscription laws had no choice but to join the fight, and after facing the harsh reality of war, some simply refuse to return to the front.
Unlike early volunteers, these new recruits are often unprepared for the relentless drone attacks, artillery barrages, and long, dangerous stints in dugouts. The psychological toll is evident, with many soldiers facing exhaustion and guilt over being unable to adequately defend their positions due to ammunition shortages.
Commanders are grappling with the challenge of rotating troops in and out of frontline positions, but the constant presence of enemy drones overhead makes even short breaks perilous. An officer highlighted that some soldiers have endured combat zones for up to 20 days without relief.
Ukraine’s military, once filled with hope and backed by international solidarity, now confronts a daunting task to uphold morale and retain soldiers in the battle as Russia's offensive persists.
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