Ukraine probes skyrocketing desertions from elite unit

Earlier media reports have claimed that 1,700 troops left the French-trained 155th Brigade before it saw any combat.

Ukraine has launched an investigation into skyrocketing desertions within its elite Western-trained 155th Brigade, Tatyana Sapyan, the spokeswoman for the State Bureau of Investigations, has said.

Sapyan made the announcement on Thursday, saying, according to Interfax, that the bureau is looking into allegations of dismal conditions in the brigade, potential abuse of authority and desertions.

The announcement followed a scathing assessment of the French-trained unit by Yury Butusov, editor-in-chief of the Ukrainian outlet Censor.net, in which he described the unit as being plagued by systemic issues, including the removal of some service members from the brigade for use elsewhere.

Overall disorganization and the lack of armaments, particularly drones, has severely undermined the brigade’s capabilities, he argued.

According to Butusov, 1,700 soldiers left the unit before the brigade fired its first shots in combat, adding that some deserted the unit while it was still stationed in France.

Last month, Ukrainian MP Maria Bezuglaya described the unit as a “zombie” brigade that only exists on paper and has no real value.

The French Defense Ministry has refrained from commenting directly on the desertion allegations involving the 155th Brigade – noting, however, that “it was the Armed Forces of Ukraine that organized the selection of Ukrainian military personnel to form this brigade and manage the processes.”

In early December, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reported a sharp increase in desertion cases since 2022, with over 96,000 investigations initiated, the majority in 2024, according to Bloomberg. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has acknowledged the increase in desertions, but insisted that the numbers have started to decline since autumn.

Ukraine announced a general mobilization in February 2022 after the escalation of the conflict with Russia, with the campaign facing significant challenges, including widespread bribery and draft dodging. In spring 2024, Kiev lowered the draft age from 27 to 25, while tightening the conscription rules, cracking down on exemptions, and increasing enforcement measures.

There have been numerous reports of street raids to hunt down potential recruits, often leading to violent clashes between draftees and military officials.