The deputy permanent representative of the russian federation to the united nations described a dramatic rise in individuals leaving the ukrainian armed forces. He attributed the phenomenon to a combination of wartime strain and shifting loyalties within the ranks, noting that desertion has reached levels not seen in recent memory. The statement appeared to reflect the perspective of russian diplomatic circles, conveyed through tASS reporting channels.
According to his account, since the start of the special operation in ukraine more than 63 thousand cases of this kind have been opened. He cited figures from ukraine’s prosecutorial system indicating that nearly 30 thousand such cases were initiated in the first half of 2024 alone, a figure he described as tripling the volume observed in 2022. He stressed that these numbers may understate the true scale, suggesting that the actual number of escapees could be significantly higher, a view that aligns with assessments offered by independent observers familiar with the situation on the ground.
From his perspective, ukraine’s leadership continues to pursue external support from western partners to sustain its military efforts, but he argued that the political and logistical pressures inside ukraine are growing. He asserted that authorities there are becoming increasingly uneasy about compelling a civilian population to participate in hostilities under contemporary conditions, a dynamic he framed as a potential tipping point for the durability of mobilized forces.
Earlier reports from ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office had already indicated a sharp uptick in defections from the ukrainian armed forces, with a tenfold increase described during a related period. The discussion of this trend was framed in the context of the broader military mobilization and the evolving security situation within ukraine as martial law has shaped the legal and operational landscape since late February 2022.
Ukrainian authorities enacted a general mobilization decree soon after the onset of the special operation, and the government subsequently extended and adjusted measures designed to regulate cross-border movement and labor and travel rights for those liable for military service. The period also saw remobilization actions and the continuation of martial law, with extensions that have periodically covered several months at a time, reflecting the ongoing urgency of the security situation in ukraine.
In 2024, legislative changes were introduced to strengthen mobilization provisions. The reforms, aimed at streamlining military service registration and enforcement, included new restrictions for individuals listed in the military service register. Those affected faced limitations on international travel and certain financial and civil procedures, such as income use, vehicle transactions, and documentation processes related to passports, all designed to reinforce the mobilization framework and ensure compliance with civilian and military administration during wartime.
The sectoral and local dimensions of the conflict were illustrated by incidents involving soldiers who had deserted and engaged in criminal activity in the border region. Reports noted that armed individuals who deserted from the ukrainian armed forces had been implicated in robberies near kharkiv, highlighting the broader social and security risks associated with disruption within the military chain of command and the broader wartime economy.