Record numbers of Russian soldiers prosecuted for refusing to fight in Ukraine

The vast majority of the soldiers have simply gone AWOL to avoid being send to Ukraine.

What is happening?

The war in Ukraine rages on in it’s fourth year, but numbers show that it’s might becoming more difficult for Russia to replenish it’s troop losses.

More than 20.000 soldiers prosecuted

According to the independent Russian media outlet, Mediazone, more than 20.000 Russian soldiers have been prosecuted for refushing to fight in Ukraine as of late May.

Started with the partial mobilization

Mediazone has documented 20.538 cases of soldiers being prosecuted for refusing to fight since September 2022.

This was the time of the first wave of Putin’s partial mobilization.

Doubled in a year

For comparison, there were 10.025 cases reported as of June 2024, meaning the number of cases have more than doubled over the past year.

Going AWOL

Of the more than 20.000 cases, the vast majority of the soldiers have simply gone AWOL (absent without official leave but without intent to desert).

18.159 of the cases are soldiers going AWOL, 1.369 cases are failure to comply with an order, and 1.010 cases are about desertion.

“Gulag-style” abuse

Moscow is being accused of using a systematic program of “gulag-style” abuse directed at its soldiers in Ukraine, as reported by The Insider.

The point of this is to maintain order and punished any percieved offenders.

Several reports

Since the war in Ukraine began, reports of Russian soldiers being abused by commanders as well as fellow troops have emerged.

Reports of Russian soldiers being abused by commanders and fellow troops have emerged.

Recruits up to 45.000 men per month

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia recruits around 40,000-45,000 men for its military every month.

Putin orders increase of manpower

In late 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to increase the size of Russia’s Armed Forces to about 2.4 million, including 1.5 million military personnel.