Data from the project Sever.Realii indicates a significant increase in desertion rates among Russian military personnel during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Over the past four years, the number of deserters and those accused of leaving their units without permission has risen 86-fold, reflecting a troubling trend within the armed forces.
From 2022 to April 21, 2026, Russian military courts have processed cases involving 144 individuals charged with desertion or unauthorized departure, many of whom also faced allegations of murder. This analysis was based on court records from military tribunals across Russia.
In examining these cases, Sever.Realii focused on charges related to desertion (Article 338 of the Russian Criminal Code) and unauthorized absence (Article 337), which also included murder (Article 105) and intentional infliction of serious bodily harm resulting in death (part 4 of Article 111).
The data reveals a steady increase in the number of individuals charged with murder in conjunction with desertion. In 2022, only one person was convicted, while this number rose to six in 2023. A notable spike occurred in 2024, when 26 individuals were convicted, marking a 4.3-fold increase. The peak was reached in 2025, with courts addressing cases involving 86 individuals, indicating a dramatic rise in convictions.
Sever.Realii also identified at least 25 additional cases of servicemen accused of murder who deserted and are currently under judicial review in 2026.
Among those charged with murder, the majority were classified as unauthorized absentees, with 54 suspects facing combined charges under Articles 337 and 105. Following this, 40 individuals were charged with causing serious bodily harm resulting in death, while 29 deserters faced murder charges. The number of deserters accused of intentional infliction of serious bodily harm was significantly lower, with only 11 cases recorded.
Convictions were issued in 105 of the total cases, all of which were guilty verdicts. However, only seven cases had published judicial acts, with sentences ranging from 8 to 13 years of imprisonment.
In other instances, cases are either still pending in court, have been halted due to the death of the defendant, or were suspended due to the inability of the accused to participate in the proceedings. It is suspected that some of those charged may have re-enlisted and returned to combat.
On April 16, two incidents involving murders committed by deserters from the Russian army were reported. In Orenburg, a private named Sergey Basalaev, who was on the federal wanted list, opened fire on police, killing one officer and injuring three others. Separately, in Petrozavodsk, a man who had deserted his unit allegedly stabbed a guard during an escape attempt, resulting in the guard’s death.
In September 2025, the OSINT project Frontelligence Insight reported that desertion rates in the Russian military had doubled compared to 2024 figures.
The number of desertions and related criminal cases in the Russian military has seen a dramatic increase, particularly involving serious charges such as murder. This trend highlights ongoing challenges within the armed forces amid the protracted conflict with Ukraine.