A former soldier, identified as Serhii S., has been sentenced to five years in prison for failing to return to his military unit. The ruling was issued by the Stryi District Court in the Lviv region, following his arrest in February 2026.
According to court documents, Serhii S. did not report back to his unit in November 2024 after serving nearly two years in the military. His absence raised concerns, leading to his eventual apprehension in Stryi.
During the court proceedings, Serhii S. admitted his guilt and pleaded for leniency. Judge Stepan Sas found him guilty under Article 407, Part 5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to desertion. The sentence can be appealed.
Desertion Issues in the Ukrainian Military
Recent reports indicate that desertion is a growing concern within the Ukrainian armed forces. Military personnel, including Danilo Yakovlev, have noted that a significant portion of mobilized soldiers—potentially up to a third—are leaving their posts. Yakovlev highlighted that the issue is not solely due to a lack of personnel, but rather a mismatch in unit staffing levels.
Yakovlev further mentioned that some units are operating at only 20-30% capacity, despite having the same administrative structure as combat units. Improvements in mobilization efforts have been attributed to increased scrutiny by law enforcement agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Security Service of Ukraine, targeting those profiting from desertion.
Reports suggest that financial incentives exist for aiding soldiers in escaping military service, with bribes ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This has raised alarms about the integrity of the mobilization process.
Additionally, journalist and battalion sergeant Pavlo Kazarin has identified two primary reasons for soldiers leaving their units. He noted the lack of clear service terms and the burnout experienced by volunteers who enlisted in 2022. Kazarin reported that, on average, 30,000 individuals are mobilized each month, with approximately 11,000 deserting directly from training centers.
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A former soldier has received a five-year prison sentence for desertion after failing to return to his military unit. This case highlights ongoing issues of desertion within the Ukrainian military, as many soldiers reportedly leave their posts amidst a challenging environment.