Several Ukrainian soldiers may have deserted during training in Germany

An investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit reveals that hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted after completing or while undergoing military training in Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Ministry of the Interior has officially recorded about 80 cases, and nationally, the number could be much higher. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, approximately 29,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in Germany.

Many of these individuals were forcibly mobilized and cited extreme exhaustion and fear of being sent to the front. Ukrainian legislation considers desertion a serious crime, punishable by imprisonment. Similar situations have been reported in France. One example is Volodimir Sulghin, who deserted after being subjected to abuse during training. Most deserters do not have the resources to contest their mobilization. It remains uncertain whether they will be able to stay in Germany, as asylum rules do not automatically apply to deserting soldiers.