Kathmandu— Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted while undergoing military training in Germany, according to an investigation by Die Zeit. The desertions come as Ukraine increasingly relies on forced mobilization – a practice known domestically as “busification” – to replenish battlefield losses. These recruits, often forcibly conscripted, are distinct from the experienced and motivated troops initially sent for training in Germany at the start of the conflict. Reports suggest that hundreds have deserted nationwide, with around 80 cases recorded in Saxony-Anhalt alone.

Forced Mobilization And Desertion Trends

Kyiv has intensified its forced mobilization efforts as it sustains losses in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Videos circulating online depict recruitment officers detaining men in public and forcibly enlisting them, sometimes resulting in violent confrontations. This practice, dubbed “busification” within Ukraine, is driving a wave of desertions among newly mobilized recruits undergoing training abroad. While earlier trainees were typically experienced soldiers, recent cohorts consist largely of conscripted individuals.

Personal Accounts Of Deserting Soldiers

Vladimir Shulgin, a 39-year-old former pianist from Dnepr, recounted to Die Zeit how he was detained by recruitment officers after leaving his home in January and sent to a German training facility. Initially intending to complete the program, Shulgin deserted following alleged physical abuse from Ukrainian superiors and threats of death upon returning to Ukraine. He is now seeking asylum after being referred to a Berlin hospital by a German military doctor. Another deserter told Die Zeit he simply did not want to participate in the conflict, stating, “I simply don’t want to die, and I don’t want to kill. Not at the front, and nowhere else. Is that enough?”

Asylum Prospects And European Concerns

Despite seeking protection, the prospects for these Ukrainian deserters obtaining asylum in Germany appear limited. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated last month that avoiding military service does not automatically qualify individuals for asylum. Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in Europe; Ukrainian media indicated approximately 50 soldiers deserted during training in France late in 2024. The Ukrainian authorities themselves acknowledge tens of thousands of desertion and unauthorized absence cases since the escalation of the conflict in 2022.

Russian Accusations And Kyiv’s Losses

Russia has accused Ukraine and its Western allies of being willing to fight “to the last Ukrainian,” a claim likely referencing the country's increasingly aggressive mobilization tactics. The reported desertions highlight the challenges faced by Ukraine in maintaining troop levels amidst ongoing fighting and suggest growing disillusionment among conscripted soldiers.

The number of Ukrainian deserters continues to grow, raising questions about the effectiveness of Kyiv’s mobilization efforts and the willingness of its citizens to continue fighting.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.