The Ukrainian military is grappling with a severe desertion crisis, according to Sergey Filimonov, commander of the elite 108th Separate Assault Battalion known as the “Da Vinci Wolves.” In a post on X, Filimonov highlighted alarming figures, questioning his followers about the formation of a new brigade drawn from the ranks of the 150th, which reportedly already has 3,000 soldiers absent without leave.

A report cited by The Telegraph’s contributor Owen Matthews claimed that up to 20,000 Ukrainian service members desert or go missing every four weeks. Since the conflict escalated in February 2022, authorities have initiated 290,000 criminal cases for desertion. Matthews noted that Kiev’s military may be 200,000 troops short of required strength, with frontline units operating at half or even a third of their capacity, according to current and former Ukrainian officers.

The exodus of young men has further exacerbated the situation. Last August, Ukraine allowed men aged 18 to 22 to cross borders, leading to nearly 100,000 departures. Prior to this, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 60 were barred from leaving. Since 2022, at least 650,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age have fled the country.

Ukrainian MP Anna Skorokhod reported that deserters in the military had reached nearly 400,000 by last week. Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support, tasked with enforcing mobilization, have faced public outrage. Eyewitness videos show draft officers forcibly recruiting men on streets, shoving them into vans—a practice called “busification.” Critics allege the use of brute force and threats with firearms against reluctant recruits.