By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) reported over 25,000 Russian soldiers and officers deserted from the Central Military District between late 2024 and July 2025. These desertions occurred in various forms, including abandoning positions on the battlefield and failing to return from leave. HUR attributed this to poor service conditions, supply shortages, and brutal tactics. Furthermore, HUR documented over 30 incidents involving weapons or equipment being taken during the desertions, and noted a pattern of executions of soldiers who refused to fight.
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Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Unprecedented Russian Desertion Rates seem to be painting a pretty stark picture, don’t they? The numbers being thrown around are quite significant, suggesting a real crisis of morale and discipline within the Russian ranks. We’re talking about a situation where soldiers are apparently choosing to abandon their posts in droves.
From what’s being reported, the scale of desertion is potentially enormous. If the 25,000 figure is accurate and representative of the different operational zones, we’re possibly looking at a staggering 125,000 deserters. Now, whether that’s the precise figure is something that’s difficult to verify independently, but the information from Ukrainian sources definitely suggests a concerning trend for the Russian military.
The reasons for this mass desertion are, as you might expect, complex. Soldiers aren’t exactly known for being overly keen on suicidal missions. There’s a strong indication that many of these troops are being sent into situations with little to no chance of survival, and that certainly wouldn’t boost anyone’s morale. And, let’s be honest, who would want to be a “sacrificial offering”?
Adding to the problem is the reports of poor treatment, including allegations that families aren’t being notified of their loved ones’ deaths, and those who are killed in action are simply listed as “missing,” thus dodging any responsibility or financial obligations. Plus, let’s not forget the possibility of severe punishments for those who disobey orders or try to leave.
So, if you’re a soldier facing all of this, what do you do? Well, apparently, desertion is looking like a viable, or possibly, the best option available. If you think about it, it’s also the smartest decision a lot of these soldiers could make in their current situation.
Of course, the Russians aren’t just sitting back and letting this happen. They’re reportedly good at tracking down deserters and returning them to the front lines, which is a scary thought in itself. But it’s also clear that even with these measures, the problem persists, which speaks volumes about the underlying issues.
The question of motivation is, of course, central to this. Think about it: how motivated would you be if you were sent into what felt like a meat grinder, with no end in sight, and no support system for you or your family back home? The contrast between what’s portrayed in Russian media and the actual realities on the ground must be immense.
Another factor that might be playing a role is the economic reality. Many of these soldiers likely come from poorer backgrounds, and the promise of a significant salary, if they survive, would be a strong incentive to join the army. However, that incentive diminishes greatly if they’re facing near-certain death or debilitating injury.
Furthermore, there is the option of surrender, made more appealing by initiatives like the “I Want to Live” program, where soldiers can pre-contact Ukraine and coordinate a surrender. The drone issue comes to mind with discussions of how to surrender. It looks like the most effective way is to find a way to isolate yourself, and then surrender to a drone, or follow instructions from the Ukrainian “I Want to Live” program.
There are also the various strategies of survival, such as trying to escape across the border and seeking asylum. A sobering thought is that the Russian military is quite likely experiencing a substantial loss of combat capability due to desertion.
And let’s be real, even if some of these deserters get caught, their willingness to abandon their posts will still weaken the overall structure of the military. It all contributes to a larger erosion of trust and efficiency.
What’s also interesting is how all of this ripples outwards. The lack of pay, the not informing families of losses, and the general breakdown in discipline can’t stay confined to the front lines. The effects will inevitably be felt back in Russia, creating unrest and discontent among families. This winter is going to be interesting, with the Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries making the cold much worse.
Looking at this situation, you have to ask yourself, are those on the front lines really expecting a cushy job in logistics or drone operations? It’s much more likely that reality is far more brutal.
The bottom line is that these Ukrainian reports, even if potentially biased, highlight a critical problem for Russia. This crisis of desertion is a major indication of how the war is playing out, and its impact goes far beyond the battlefield.