The Growing Problem of Unauthorized Absences in Ukraine's Armed Forces
Dmytro Filatov, commander of the First Separate Assault Regiment named after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, has raised alarms over the severe issue of soldiers going AWOL (unauthorized absence from duty) in Ukraine. He noted that mobilization is increasingly becoming coercive, and the pool of motivated individuals willing to defend the country is drying up. Filatov spoke on 24 Kanal, recounting the case of a serviceman who had gone AWOL 16 times. According to him, the previous record was 8 times, and this soldier openly stated he does not want to fight and has no intention of being on the battlefield.
'I don’t see any quick fixes for mobilization. Ukraine is running out of motivated people who want to protect the country. Now, mobilization is becoming more about compulsion than a conscious duty,' Dmytro Filatov stated.
He also reported that the serviceman with 16 AWOL incidents said: 'I don’t want to fight. I’ll keep going AWOL, then return to the unit. As soon as a combat mission is assigned, I’ll leave again. When asked if he wants a different role or has been in heavy battles, he says: No, I’ve never been on the battlefield and don’t plan to. I don’t want any positions.'
Reactions and Forecast for the Situation
Ihor Lutsenko, a former member of the 8th convocation of parliament, also commented on this issue, calling AWOL the biggest problem facing the Ukrainian army. He emphasized that the problem is growing in scale. According to the publication Glavkom, 80% of new recruits flee from training centers, highlighting serious challenges within the mobilization system.
Roman Kostenko, secretary of the National Security Committee, noted that the number of AWOL cases could soon match the size of the active military.
'Soon, the number of AWOL cases will equal the size of our army. And these people will later make claims against those who are currently fighting,' Kostenko warned.These statements underscore the critical state of Ukraine’s armed forces and the urgent need for solutions regarding mobilization.
The situation with unauthorized absences highlights deep-seated problems in the Ukrainian military, particularly concerning mobilization and maintaining morale among troops. The high rate of refusal to serve may point to insufficient motivation and flaws in the training and support system for soldiers. This demands an immediate response from the state to prevent further deterioration of the front-line situation.
As the situation continues to escalate, the alarming rise in unauthorized absences among Ukrainian soldiers raises questions about the effectiveness of the current mobilization strategies. This ongoing crisis echoes the findings in a recent report discussing the staggering number of AWOL troops and the underlying issues contributing to the failure of mobilization efforts. To explore this further, read about the challenges and necessary changes in the current state of mobilization in Ukraine.