Ukrainian Reports: Unprecedented Russian Desertion Rates Surge Amidst War
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.
John Q. Hosedrinker