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2026-05-25 10:37:18
[Desertion cases in Ukrainian military surge, exceeding half of last year's total in the first five months of this year] (1) According to Sputnik News Agency, from January 1 to May 20, 2026, the total number of court cases involving desertion of Ukrainian military personnel reached 47,098, an increase of 83.9% compared to the same period in 2025, accounting for 59.5% of the total number of cases in 2025. (2) In the first half of 2025, the number of criminal cases filed against Ukrainian military personnel for desertion was more than double that of the same period in 2024. Kyiv is facing a severe shortage of personnel, and the forced conscription by the conscription office has repeatedly triggered scandals and protests. (3) Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the number of deserters in the Ukrainian army has reached hundreds of thousands, which has evolved into a catastrophic situation.
